Saturday’s 4-1 loss at Long Island was frustrating and disappointing but hardly cataclysmic.

The New York Islanders are good, too. Just like the Penguins, they want to win. That’s obvious and elementary but too often gets lost via home-team fervor.

If coach Mike Sullivan went with exactly the same lineup and gameplan for Monday’s Game 5, he couldn’t be blamed.

But here’s a change to consider:

The line of Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust has been too quiet. Not for lack of effort or skill set. But the way the series is being played and officiated, that trio can’t find room. All three stand less than 6 feet. None plays especially big, save Crosby.

Crosby and Rust have a goal each in this series, Guentzel one assist. It’s surprising the Islanders don’t have the series lead given that line’s meager production.

Perhaps Rust should be replaced on that line by Jeff Carter. Put the hot hand with Crosby, your best playmaker. Carter is 6-foot-3. His size might create space for Crosby and Guentzel. Carter is just as familiar with right wing as he is center.

Carter would make Crosby’s line much more threatening than it is with Rust. Carter could better compete with the physicality of the Islanders.

Crosby, Guentzel and Rust can’t navigate the heavy traffic. They had 10 shots Saturday but few threatening. They were mostly kept on the perimeter.

This switch isn’t necessarily a desperation move. Lines get juggled all the time.

Crosby’s line is a good one and established. But it’s not like Sullivan would be breaking up Mario Lemieux, Kevin Stevens and Rick Tocchet.

It’s a gamble, sure. Carter has been very productive at center and skating with Jared McCann and Frederick Gaudreau. But no forward ever went cold because he got put on Crosby’s line.

The Penguins won’t win this series if Crosby’s line doesn’t score more. If Crosby doesn’t produce more.

Leave Evgeni Malkin’s line as is.

Move McCann to center between Rust at right wing and Evan Rodrigues at left wing. Gaudreau can sit a game.

Rodrigues’ adrenaline upon entering the lineup could provide a spark. He’d be more adept at left wing than Gaudreau. Gaudreau is better at killing penalties but isn’t one of the Penguins’ primary four forwards on that unit.

Teddy Blueger’s line stays the same.

Or leave everything as it’s been. Sullivan couldn’t be blamed for that.

But if he does leave things as they are, Sullivan could be blamed for not getting Crosby’s unit away from being matched against the Islanders’ punishing fourth line of Casey Cizikas, Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin.

Sullivan tries to get Blueger’s line on the ice vs. Mathew Barzal’s line. The result is Barzal being held goalless (though he has three assists in the last two games). Barzal is the Islanders’ most skilled threat.

But when it comes to Crosby’s line, Sullivan tends to let the opposing coach have whatever matchup he wants. The feeling seems to be Crosby is superior to whomever he faces, and he will find a way. That approach is doubtless fueled in no small part by Crosby.

It’s a reasonable thought process. But it’s not working.

Sullivan has last change for Game 5 on Monday night at PPG Paints Arena. He has to get Crosby’s line away from the Cizikas line as much as possible.

Not putting Carter on Crosby’s line would be understandable.

Cavalierly letting the Cizikas line blanket Crosby’s line would be inexcusable. Then again, the Islanders’ depth and physicality provide no easy matchups.

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