Islanders Tie NHL Record with Another Third-Period Comeback, Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

The New York Islanders earned a comeback win for the second time in as many games on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Trailing 2-0 entering the third period, the Islanders once again rattled off four straight goals to pull out a 4-2 win and keep their playoff hopes alive. 

The multi-goal comebacks in the third period were the fourth instance in franchise history of back-to-back wins in that fashion. Per NHL PR, they are now tied with the Detroit Red Wings for the most in NHL history. 

The Islanders have four multi-goal comebacks in the third period this season, but the prior two were not back-to-back. Among multi-goal comebacks include a 4-3 shootout win over the Penguins in November and a 3-2 overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes in January. 

In recent memory, New York made multi-goal comebacks in the third period during their 10-game winning streak and historic 17-game point streak in the 2019-20 season. The team erased a 3-0 deficit to the Philadelphia Flyers on Nov. 16 in a 4-3 shootout win and erased a 4-2 deficit against the Penguins to earn a 5-4 win in overtime on Nov. 19. 

Even if it's not the most sustainable way to win, the Islanders managed to make it stick when they needed the wins the most. New York now moves to within three points of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and hosts the Montreal Canadiens, holders of that final spot, on Thursday. 

Matthew Page contributed to this story. 

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