Penguins Defeat Islanders. Cling To Slim Hopes of Home Ice in Playoffs

The Penguins needed this victory. However, everyone they're chasing in the Wales also won. Here's the game recap;

In the 1st period, the Islanders opened the scoring at 4:36 when Lawton scored his 24th of the season from Madden and Benning to make it 1-0 NYI. With no more offence for either team, they Penguins head to the 2nd trailing. 

In the 2nd period, the Islanders took a 2-0 lead at 15:31 when Yashin scored his 26th of the season from Courtnall and Rucinsky. At 16:22, the Penguins got on the board and trimmed the lead to 2-1 as Elynuik tucked home his 14th of the season from Gonchar and Koivu. Then, at 17:33, Jagr scored his 34th of the season from Finley and Young to tie the game 2-2. The Islanders answered at 19:53 when Rucinsky scored his 26th of the year from Dahlin and Benning to make it 3-2 for New York. That would be the end of the action in the 2nd and the Penguins entered the 3rd trailing 3-2. 

In the 3rd period, the Islanders made it 4-2 at 2:52 when Yashin scored his 2nd of the game from Courtnall. At 5:34, Elynuik scored his 2nd of the game with a powerplay goal from Finley and Lafontaine to make it 4-3. Then, at 7:04, Lafontaine chipped in his 29th of the season from Podein and Zubov to tie the game 4-4. At 10:18, it was Lafontaine once again, scoring his 2nd of the game from Zalapski and Finley to give the Penguins their first lead of the game at 5-4.  

From there, Sean Burke would stand tall and the Penguins would hold on for the 5-4 victory. 

Next up, the Penguins will have a day off before they face the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo.

Doug Graves 

Pittsburgh Gazette