New York Islanders Grab Game One From Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 in OT

The New York Islanders take game one in overtime thanks to trade deadline acquisition, Kyle Palmeiri. The Islanders were 2-6 against Pittsburgh this regular season. Two key players were not available for game one at PPG Arena. The Pittsburgh Penguins were without Evgeni Malkin while the New York Islanders did not dress Seymon Varlamov.  

The Islanders were off to a slow start but that would not last forever as Kyle Palmeri opened up the scoring at 7:58. . Palmieri had just 2G, 2A with the Islanders after the team acquired him from the New Jersey Devils at the trade deadline. The Islanders were outplayed through the first twenty. Their inability to clear the puck and generate a zone exit became all too visible. The shots were 4-0 Penguins before the Islanders generated a shot. Tristan Jarry appeared locked in through a majority of the first period. Although it must be a bit easier when your team is doing most of the work at the other end of the ice. Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby created a sneaky opportunity for defenseman Kris Letang who would shoot just wide of the net.  It would not be long before the Penguins got on the board. Freddy Gaudreau had his fourth career postseason goal, scoring about 3 minutes after the Islanders. Shots were 18-13 Pittsburgh at the end of 20. 

The go ahead goal was scored by none other than Sidney Crosby. Crosby now has 69 playoff goals, tying him with rival Alexander Ovechkin. Jeff Carter earned himself a double minor for high sticking but the Penguins penalty kill would deny the Isles from capitalizing. Their regular season penalty kill was ranked at 77%. Jarry stepped up and had 20 saves through 40. 

Would it be playoff hockey without it coming down to the final buzzer? The third period was a fast paced, hard hitting, and a brand new Islanders team. Islanders Jean-Gabriel Pageau doing what he does best with the tying goal to start the third. It was a hard hitting period all around. Both teams came out reenergized and looking for that game winner.Brock Nelson almost had it but alas, the Penguins struck right back and forced it to overtime. 

Mat Barzal had quite the unfortunate tangle between two Pens players that left him in a bit of discomfort on the backcheck. He wouldn’t miss a shift. It was beginning to look like a multi-OT kind of game but Kyle Palmieri scooped up a bouncing puck and took it over Jarry’s shoulder.