Nobody said it outright in the lead up to the first of a back-to-back, home-and-home matchup with the Penguins on Saturday, but winning this set of games — or at least avoiding a sweep — was as essential a task as the Islanders have faced all season.

The Penguins are coming off a commanding 7-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday. Sidney Crosby had a four-point performance (1G, 3A), while Rickard Rakell (1G, 2A), Michael Bunting (2G) and Bryan Rust scored in the victory. Tristan Jarry made 24 saves.

The New York Islanders (13-15-7) return from their holiday hiatus against the surging Pittsburgh Penguins (16-15-5). For the Islanders, it kicks off a pair of back-to-back sets they have, starting with these Penguins.

Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan has seen enough of the New York Islanders to know what they’re about. And he knows, even if they’ve largely struggled this season, the Islanders still present a stiff challenge to the Penguins.

Casey Cizikas posted his first two-goal game in more than three years Saturday night, leading the New York Islanders to a 6-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the opener of a back-to-back, home-and-home set in Elmont,

Casey Cizikas and Anders Lee each scored twice and the New York Islanders beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 on Saturday night.

The Islanders come out firing in the second period with goals from Anthony Duclair, Anders Lee and Casey Cizikas giving them a 4-1 lead over the Penguins.