Islanders rally falls short, lose to Pens in OT

Despite an inspired second-period comeback to tie the game and secure a point for the Islanders, a frustrated Penguins power play cashed in on its eighth attempt to earn a 3-2 overtime win Friday night.

The Penguins weren't the only team that struggled on the power play. The Islanders were 1-for-6 on the night and failed to convert with the game tied and the man-advantage with less than three minutes in regulation.

With the game tied at 2, Islanders defenseman Milan Jurcina was whistled for a hooking penalty less than a minute into the overtime. Penguins defenseman Alex Goligoski then beat Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro to give Pittsburgh its first win at the new CONSOL Energy Center.

"We had two goals to get us back in the game in the second, we battled hard in the third, but we're definitely not satisfied with the result," said Josh Bailey, whose power-play goal ignited the second-period comeback.

After surrendering a pair of goals in the second, the Islanders witnessed a cringe-inducing play that has become all too familiar for the team.

Blake Comeau sat dazed on his hands and knees for several minutes while attended by team trainers after being leveled by Penguins defenseman Kris Letang in open-ice.

And although the sellout crowd of 18,195 at CONSOL Energy Center vehemently disagreed with the call on Letang - a five minute major and game misconduct for a hit to the head - Comeau's linemate Bailey did not.

Bailey pounced on Letang and earned a roughing penalty. The Islanders rallied shortly thereafter. Bailey emerged from the penalty box to score on the power play at 11:18 and less than two minutes later defenseman Radek Martinek tied the game by lifting the puck over Penguins goalie Brent Johnson's left pad at 13:07.

"It's been a long time since we've had a point here, so that's a huge plus for us," coach Scott Gordon said. "Especially since we didn't have much going for us there until the second. It almost felt like we stole a point."

Comeau, who was not available for comment after the game, did not miss a shift after the hit. He picked up assists on both Islanders goals.

"I saw it on the replay and obviously he blindsided him. [Blake] didn't see it coming," Bailey said.

"I tried to put my stick on the puck first, that's how we play defense - then I put my shoulder on his shoulder," Letang told reporters after the game. "With a hit like that right away I was saying [to officials] that I was going for the puck.

"It's a judgment. Everybody's got to look at it. It's a play that I need to step up; otherwise he's going to be by himself in the scoring slot."

The Islanders were forced to rely on a strong penalty-killing effort. And although they were successful with the first seven Penguins power plays, Pittsburgh's eighth was the difference.

"It's not easy, especially against a team like Pittsburgh that's so dynamic on their power play," said DiPietro, who made 26 saves. "They struggled at home, so obviously they were feeling pressure to get the win. We battled hard, I thought it was a good point. Would've definitely liked the two."

Rookie Nino Niederreiter took two consecutive penalties - two minutes for tripping and four minutes for high-sticking - to put the Islanders down a man for six minutes in the last 7:41 of the first period.

The Islanders killed off both penalties, but the PK had plenty more work.

The Islanders took two minors for too many men on the ice. The Islanders have now incurred four such penalties in four games this season.

"Both teams were undisciplined tonight," coach Scott Gordon said.

Comeau wasn't the only player that went down after taking a hit. DiPietro landed on his back after Matt Cooke barreled into him and stayed down for several minutes before reclaiming his crease.

Cooke received two minutes for goaltender interference.