The Islanders scored two goals in the last five minutes of the third period but ultimately came up short in a frustrating loss.
- Pittsburgh Penguins (16-11-3, 35 points) 4
- New York Islanders (16-9-3, 35 points) 3
- NYI Goals: Jordan Eberle (12), Mathew Barzal (8), Brock Nelson (8)
- PIT Goals: Jake Guentzel (13) PPG, Phil Kessel (14) PPG, Riley Sheahan (2), Matt Hunwick (3)
- NHL, Final, Box Score
- PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
For a moment it seemed the Islanders were destined for a little more. Relentless pressure applied late in the third period brought them to overtime, but a missed clear on the puck after a scramble in front cut it short and earned the Isles a point.
Despite losing back-to-back games for the first time this season, Doug Weight‘s club can take a gritty, well-earned point out of an otherwise lost contest.
The special teams absolutely buried the Isles, 0-for-4 on the power play and 0-for-2 on the penalty kill. If you want a primary reason to blame the loss, look no further.
Recap
The game started off with the ice deeply slanted in Pittsburgh’s favor, the Isles were outshot by more than a 2-to-1 margin in the first period and were fortunate to be down just 1-0.
The Islanders tallied the lone goal in the second courtesy of Jordan Eberle. It was his 12th of the season with assists to Nick Leddy and Mathew Barzal.
Eberle ended on the ice, the puck ended in the net #Isles pic.twitter.com/g8CU9YB8uW
— IslesBlog (@IslesBlog) December 8, 2017
But things would fall apart for the Islanders in the third period. They allowed their second powerplay goal of the game, and then Jaroslav Halak played the puck 2015-style and gave it straight away for a 3-1 Penguins lead.
Sick assist for Halak #isles pic.twitter.com/XiWM6POAJl
— YeSUV? (@IslesWhiteSUV) December 8, 2017
The score would last well into the third until Barzal dazzled fans everywhere with yet another display of Calder Trophy-worthy finesse.
Every. Single. Night. #Isles pic.twitter.com/ilLVVVg7ep
— IslesBlog (@IslesBlog) December 8, 2017
Brock Nelson is finally starting to heat up, and with Halak on the bench, he scored his second goal in three games to tie the game at three.
The Isles were flying.
Fun & Good! Good & Fun! #Isles pic.twitter.com/Dw3hT0ycMQ
— IslesBlog (@IslesBlog) December 8, 2017
The end result makes it even more painful to see the fourth goal that never was from Anders Lee.
Andres nearLEE wins it #Isles pic.twitter.com/yKCqfPHRWs
— IslesBlog (@IslesBlog) December 8, 2017
The Isles traded chances with the Penguins in overtime, but it was former New York Ranger Matt Hunwick’s third of the season that buried the Isles comeback attempt.
Ho-sang unable to win the battle #Isles pic.twitter.com/4epfMVzZ28
— IslesBlog (@IslesBlog) December 8, 2017
Josh Ho-Sang couldn’t wrestle him away from the puck, and as they battled for possession, the puck slid past Jaro.
While their third-period comeback was a true test of character, they simply lacked a lot of spark through the majority of the game and their special teams absolutely buried them on top of that.
They return to action in Boston tomorrow night on MSG+ 2 at 7 p.m. ET.