The Penguins opened the first of a two-game series with a convincing 4-1 win over the Islanders last night at PPG Paints Arena.
The victory improved Pittsburgh’s record to 8-6-1, good for 17 points and fifth place in the East Division.
Paul Steigerwald has the recap.
Crosby’s goal was a deflection off an outstanding steal and turnaround shot by Kasperi Kapanen, who skated on the top line for the first time this season. Bryan Rust moved back to his longtime role on Evgeni Malkin’s right wing.
Coach Mike Sullivan liked the play of his goaltender, Tristan Jarry.
Jason Zucker says it was nice to get off to a fast start, for a change.
Defenseman Mike Matheson says the Penguins played their game, and that enabled them to withstand the Islanders’ pressure.
The Penguins were 0-for-5 on the power play, which continues to struggle. They surrendered a power play goal in the third period, the only Islanders’ goal of the night.
The game was chippy all night long, with the Pens’ Branden Tanev fighting Casey Cizikas in the first period, and a bad hit by Mike Matheson on the Isles’ Mathew Barzal. The Islanders chased after Matheson the rest of the night. They have a grudge against them for a bad hit in the playoffs last year, when he was with the Florida Panthers.
After having spent the entire season so far on injured reserve following surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee, defenseman Zach Trotman was assigned yesterday to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He played eight games with the Penguins last season.
The two teams will play again tomorrow night at 7:00. The airtime on 92.5 FM U92 and the U92 Sportschannel will be 6:00.
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