John Tavares, New York Islanders Edge Pittsburgh Penguins in Shootout (Highlights)
Mar 24, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) scores against Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) in the shootout at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Islanders won 4-3 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

John Tavares and the New York Islanders came through clutch in the shootout against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

  • New York Islanders 4 (35-26-12, 82 pts)
  • Pittsburgh Penguins 3 (46-17-11, 103 pts)
  • NHL, Final, Shootout, Box Score
  • PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
In his first game back since being sent down to Bridgeport. Jaroslav Halak came back and played well. With his help and a couple of shootout goals (one from captain John Tavares), the New York Islanders won a big game in Pittsburgh against the Penguins, a 4-3 shootout final. They now are back in the playoff spot they lost last week.

The first period was quiet until a goal was overturned at the last minute involving Brock Nelson. At first, the goal was called good until the Penguins coach called for a review. After a review, the goal was shown to have interference with the goalie and the was not a goal.

It wasn’t until the second period that the game got hot.

The Pens started it off with a Cameron Gaunce goal. Several minutes later, the Islanders would strike back with Brock Nelson (17) getting another chance and scoring for the 1-1 tie. Taking the lead at 9:18 in the game Anders Lee scored his 28th goal that helped the Isles take the lead.That would not last long as Sidney Crosby scored, tieing the game at two. However, with five seconds left, Casey Cizikas scored his eighth goal and the two goal lead began.

In the third period, the action remained quiet but nowhere near calm. Josh Ho-Sang skated and the fans booed him like he was some kind of Penguin-killer. It wasn’t until 13:50 into the final period that Matt Cullen (11) would tie up the game at three. The game went into overtime and Halak was making saves like he never left the big league. One shot on goal from Pittsburg was reviewed and called no good.

It all came down to the shootout. The Islanders have not looked that great in them this year and you never know what can happen. Surprisingly, the first two shots were good. Both Anthony Beauvillier and John Tavares got them ahead. Crosby would get a nice shot past Halak before Nick Bonino missed, creating the Isles victory.

Tomorrow night at Barclays center will be a huge game that they hope they can keep them in a playoff spot another day. It’ll be the Boston Bruins, another eastern conference foe that’ll present a great test.

 NEXT: Halak Will Determine the Isles Playoff Fate 

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