The Islanders snapped their three-game skid with a 5-4 overtime win over the Penguins.
The Islanders snapped their three-game skid with a 5-4 overtime win over the Penguins.
The New York Islanders had a choice after their colossal letdown against the New York Rangers on Sunday at MetLife Stadium: To bounce back against the Pittsburgh Penguins or to let their losing streak reach four games.
Although it was anything but pretty, blowing a multi-goal lead in the third period, the Islanders defeated the Penguins 5-4 in overtime at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday night.
Here's how it happened:
It was a strong start for the Islanders, but blown coverage by defenseman Scott Mayfield led the Penguins to get on the board first.
Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson left wide open and didn't get a ton on his shot, just 40 miles per hour, which fooled Sorokin to give Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead at 12:48 of the first.
The Islanders needed to find the equalizer early and that they did, as Brock Nelson scored on the backhand after a nifty move at 3:40 of the second tied the game at 1-1:
After Mathew Barzal took a penalty and the Islanders allowed no shots on the penalty kill, Ryan Pulock sprung No. 13 out of the penalty box.
On the breakaway, Barzal went high glove side to extend his point streak to eight games (five goals and five assists). His 17th goal of the season is the most he's scored since the 2020-21 season, in 19 fewer games.
Simon Holmstrom took advantage of a miscue behind the Penguins net, as he tucked one in through the wickets of Nedeljkovic at 13:15 of the second to extend New York's lead to 3-1:
The Penguins got within one at 16:35 of the second as Lars Eller deflected a point shot before the puck bounced off Adam Pelech and in to make it a 3-2 game.
The Islanders got their two-goal lead back at 10;42 of the third after Mike Reilly sniped Nedeljkovic blocker side from distance after strong forechecking from Barzal and Anders Lee.
But in a matter of 56 seconds, the Penguins tied the game, with Valtteri Puustinen scoring the first of the two off a rebound before Drew O'Connor's pass went off Lee and in at 13:02 of the third.
For the 16th time this season, the Islanders have blown a third-period lead.
But have no fear, as Adam Pelech's snipe in overtime gave the Islanders a 5-4 win to snap their three-game skid for his first of the season.
UP NEXT: The Islanders head to St. Louis to battle the Blues Thursday night at 8 PM.
LINES:
Anders Lee - Bo Horvat - Mathew Barzal
Pierre Engvall - Brock Nelson - Kyle Palmieri
Simon Holmstrom - JG Pageau - Oliver Wahlstrom
Matt Martin - Casey Cizikas - Cal Clutterbuck
Alex Romanov - Noah Dobson
Adam Pelech - Ryan Pulock
Mike Reilly - Scott Mayfield
Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov