Islanders blow 2-goal lead, but Adam Pelech's overtime score beats Penguins
The Islanders' Adam Pelech celebrates his game-winning goal in overtime with Kyle Palmieri and Brock Nelson during an NHL game in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Credit: AP/Gene J. Puskar
PITTSBURGH — The Islanders let another two-goal lead in the third period evaporate. This time it took just 56 seconds.
But, this time, they wound up winning, topping the Penguins 5-4 in overtime on Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena to snap an 0-1-2 skid as they opened a two-game road trip.
It cannot be overstated how important that was to this group.
“That was a huge win,” said defenseman Adam Pelech, who connected with a wrister from the slot 57 seconds into the extra period for his first goal of the season. “Especially coming off the outdoor game, which was a big disappointment for us.”
On Sunday the Islanders suffered a crushing 6-5 outdoor overtime loss to the Rangers at MetLife Stadium as they were unable to hold a three-goal lead and then a two-goal lead late in the third period, allowing their rivals to score twice on the power play to send it past regulation.
“We really have to find a way because we’re in every single hockey game and we really do have the lead lots,” said Mathew Barzal after the Islanders improved to 7-14 in games that have gone past regulation. “We’ve got to find a way to get over the hump. It was nice to get the win tonight but it shouldn’t have gotten there. We’ve got to find a way to be better.
“It’s definitely a big win for our confidence.”
Ilya Sorokin made 37 saves for the Islanders (23-18-14) while Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 28 shots for the Penguins (24-21-8), who have lost five of their last six. The Islanders moved within five points of the third-place Flyers in the Metropolitan Division and within four points of the Red Wings for the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot.
The Islanders’ penalty kill was a crucial 3-for-3 after going 13-for-24 (54.1%) over the previous eight games.
“We’ve had some games where we lost the lead,” Pierre Engvall said. “To win here in overtime is huge for us. To see Pelly go in there and just rip it home was really nice.”
Defenseman Mike Reilly’s wrister from the left circle gave the Islanders a 4-2 lead at 10:42 of the third period but Valtteri Puustinen quickly made it a one-goal game at 12:06 and Drew O’Connor was credited with the equalizer at 13:02 as defenseman Marcus Pettersson’s pass went in off Anders Lee, prompting coach Patrick Roy to use his timeout.
“I just thought that we were not as focused for some reason,” Roy said.
The Islanders, outscored 11-1 over their first seven periods against the Penguins in losing the teams’ first two matchups this season, scored twice in two minutes, 57 seconds in the second period to take the lead.
Brock Nelson flipped a backhander over Nedeljkovic at the crease to tie it at 1-1 at 3:40. Defenseman Ryan Pulock sprung Barzal for a breakaway coming out of the penalty box at 6:37 as Barzal extended his point streak to eight games.
Simon Holmstrom then turned a Penguins’ turnover near their net into a 3-1 lead at 13:15 with his first point in six games. But Lars Eller made it 3-2 at 16:35 with a shot that deflected off Pelech as Roy unsuccessfully challenged for a hand pass, putting the Penguins on the power play.
“We started pretty well,” Roy said. “We dominated them, they barely have any chances until they score that second goal. I still believe there was no puck possession on this so it was the right decision for us to challenge.”
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
