The Penguins beat the New York Islanders, 5-4, in overtime today at Nassau Coliseum to take a 2-1 lead in the teams’ first-round playoff series.
Chris Kunitz scored off of a feed from Sidney Crosby at 9:44 of overtime for the winner.
The Islanders got a quick start, getting several bats at the puck from the crease before Matt Moulson pushed it in for a 1-0 lead at 1:43 of the first period.
Casey Cizikas made it 2-0 at 5:41 on a shot from the left circle.
The Penguins came back thanks to a couple of Islander penalties.
Jarome Iginla tipped in a shot by Kris Letang for a five-on-three goal to pull the Penguins to within 2-1 at 13:18 of the first period.
Just 18 seconds later, and with the Penguins on a five-on-four power play, Kunitz got a breakaway and whipped the puck past the glove of New York goaltender Evgeni Nabokov for a 2-2 tie.
The Penguins took a 3-2 lead with a minute left in the first period when Pascal Dupuis, at the top of the crease, converted a feed from Crosby.
The Penguins got the only goal of the second period for a 4-2 advantage. Douglas Murray, known much more for his defense and physical play than for any offensive touch, took a pass from Evgeni Malkin and, from the left circle, lifted the puck into the top right corner of the net at 17:10.
New York closed to within 4-3 on Kyle Okposo’s shorthanded breakway goal at 5:31 of the third period.
John Tavares tied it for the Islanders, 4-4, when he shot around the Penguins’ Mark Eaton from the right dot at 10:48 of the third period.
Game 4 is Tuesday night at Nassau Coliseum.
