The Pittsburgh Penguins came into Nassau Coliseum with the top record in the East and the leading point-getter in the NHL. They left, expanding their lead over the Islanders in the standings, and with Sidney Crosby expanding his lead in the points race against John Tavares.
Pittsburgh dug out of an early 2-0 hole to win 6-4, Thursday night. In a matchup that feature the league’s top two scorers, Sidney Crosby out-produced John Tavares with three points to one.
The Islanders took the lead just 1:39 into the game on Michael Grabner’s eighth goal of the season. Grabner pounced on a bouncing puck in the left wing circle and chopped it past backup goaltender, Jeff Zatkoff.
Brock Nelson pushed the New York lead to two with his ninth of the season, 8:21 into the first period.
The Islanders looked like the better team up to that point, but Chris Kunitz scored just 1:21 after Nelson’s goal to put the Penguins on the board. Kunitz received a pass from Sidney Crosby in the high slot and unleashed a big slap shot that beat the glove hand of goaltender Kevin Poulin.
Kunitz returned the favor by assisting on Crosby’s 27th goal of the season less than two minutes later. Kunitz centered the puck to Crosby in the paint and the captain barely got a stick on the puck before it went into the net.
Olli Maatta scored 5:25 into the second period to give the Penguins their first lead of the game. Maatta took the puck and found room in the middle of the offensive zone. The young defenseman had time to slow down, square up the goalie, and deke before unleashing a backhand shot past the goaltender.
Kris Letang extended Pittsburgh’s lead to two off a one-timer while the Penguins were on the power play. The Penguins attempted nine shots during the power play and contained the puck the entire time with the man advantage. Finally, Sidney Crosby’s cross-ice pass connected with Letang who blasted the puck past a tired Poulin.
Josh Bailey scored on a breakaway to bring the Islanders back within one. The snap shot beat Jeff Zatkoff on the stick side, but the opportunity was created for Bailey when he took the puck at the blue line and skated past Brooks Orpik who was preoccupied with another player.
Unfortunately for the Islanders, the Penguins scored the next goal to retain their two goal lead when James Neal connected with a streaking Evgeni Malkin who finished off a backdoor play.
Kyle Okposo scored to bring the Islanders within one once again. Zatkoff thought he froze the puck but Okposo dove towards the net and jabbed the puck in the net as the whistle blew. The referees initially waved off the goal but video review showed the puck was in the net before the whistle sounded, giving the Islanders a good goal.
Shortly thereafter, the Islanders were given a five on three power play for 50 seconds.
Franz Nielsen had a golden chance to tie the game on a cross-ice pass in front of the net but was denied by Zatkoff’s left pad.
Brandon Sutter scored with eight seconds remaining to seal a 6-4 victory.
Three Stars
- Sidney Crosby
- Chris Kunitz
- Kyle Okposo
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
