Penguins-Islanders Recap: Penguins End 3-Game Skid With 3-2 OT Win

Pregame

The Penguins (36-25-4) and the Islanders (29-29-7) were hoping to end their 3-game and 5-game losing streaks respectively by outplaying their divisional foe. Could the Penguins finally begin to find the chemistry that fans were desperately yearning for as the regular season began to dwindle? Only time would tell.

Lineups:

Interesting to see Chad Ruhwedel return to the lineup over Matt Hunwick. Let’s see what the right-hander can offer. Dominik Simon inserted into the lineup over Carter Rowney certainly excites many Pensburghers.

1st Period

Less than two minutes into the game, Tristan Jarry would lose his balance while trying to position himself, but blows a tire and the puck trickled in behind him for an early 1-0 Isles lead. Brandon Davidson was the goalscorer.

Seconds later, Brock Nelson was penalized for hooking, sending Pittsburgh to the power-play. The power-play would successfully be killed.

Derick Brassard was called for holding, and New York would be given their first power-play. The Penguin PKers would kill the penalty two minutes later.

The period would reach triple zeros with the Islanders holding onto a 1-0 lead.

Stats after one:

2nd Period

Here’s the theme of the first two periods:

With 2:22 left in the second period, Cal Clutterbuck was cited for boarding Chad Ruhwedel. Patric Hornqvist, right off the rush, received a smooth pass from Phil Kessel to tie the game on the team’s 37th (!) shot of the night.

Right until the end of the period, there wasn’t a lot to write home about. The period would end soon after the PP goal with the Pens and Isles tied at 1.

Stats after forty minutes:

3rd Period

Five minutes into the final period, Anders Lee was credited with the go-ahead goal, but it was shown that Jamie Oleksiak accidentally pushed the puck in behind his net minder. Tough break for the Penguins there.

Derick Brassard, with 8:31 left in regulation tied the game up with his first goal as a Penguin. Quite a tidy backhander.

The Brassard goal would prove to be the last one in regulation. Both teams would go into overtime to try and settle their differences.

Overtime

With 3:45 left in the OT session, Riley Sheahan was caught and called for having too many men on the ice. Conor Sheary would serve the bench minor. The penalty would be killed.

MOMENTS LATER, THE CAPTAIN WOULD END THE 3-GAME LOSING STREAK.

Final Thoughts

• The Penguins have found their winning ways once again. It wasn't easy, but the two points were well-deserved and needed to keep pace with the rest of the Metro.
• It took 50 (!) total shots to knock off Christopher Gibson tonight. The Islanders goalie certainly played well enough to get his team the W, but it was not meant to be.
• Derick Brassard finally got his first goal out of the way. I’m sure that’s a weight off his shoulders. Now, he’ll be able to really settle in and get down to the nitty gritty.
• Here’s a positive note on Chad Ruhwedel:

• The Penguins will be back in action on Monday when they host the Calgary Flames.