Heading into Thursday’s game, Dan Bylsma stressed defensive responsibility after the Penguins allowed the New York Islanders to score at will in Tuesday night’s matchup.
The Penguins still haven’t received the message.
Josh Bailey’s five point night capped off an eight point explosion in two games against the Penguins as the Islanders swept the home and home series with a pair of 5-3 victories. In 120 minutes of play, the Penguins never led. Now, the team that was once invincible in March, seems out of sorts heading into the final five games of the regular season.
Marty Reasoner broker a 0-0 tied, 11:07 into the first period. Mark Streit circled behind the net and fed Reasoner between the top of the circles. Reasoner’s shot went five-hole on Marc-Andre Fleury for his first goal of the season.
In the second period, things started out looking worse for the Penguins.
Sidney Crosby took a puck off his nose after a clearing attempt by Pittsburgh-native, Matt Reese of the Islanders. Crosby laid on the ice bleeding for a minute before skating into the locker room.
With things looking bleak for the Penguins, Pascal Dupuis injected some energy with a shorthanded goal. Dupuis hit Travis Harmonic to force a neutral zone turnover. Craig Adams got to the puck, crossed the line, and fed Pascal Dupuis in the high slot. Dupuis’s quick wrist shot seemed to catch Al Montoya off-guard as the puck hit the twine on the far side. For Dupuis, it was his 24th goal of the year in what has become a banner season.
Kyle Okposo scored on the power play eight minutes later to give the Islanders a 2-1 lead. Then, with the Penguins on the power play, Josh Bailey took advantage of a Malkin turnover and beat Marc-Andre Fleury to extend the lead to 3-1.
Kyle Okposo scored five minutes into the third period which eventually held up as the game winner. The Penguins got a nifty backhand goal from Jordan Staal eight minutes into the period to cut the deficit to two. With the extra attacker on the ice, Evgeni Malkin’s wrist shot from the point found its way past the stick side of Montoya to make it a one goal game.
The Penguins, however, could not complete the dramatic comeback as Josh Bailey’s empty net goal capped off an impressive string of games for the New York Islanders.
The focus for Pittsburgh now turns to the Buffalo Sabres, currently one of the hottest teams in the league as they claw their way to a potential playoff spot. The Penguins, five point back from the Rangers, will also turn their attention towards keeping the fourth seed in the playoffs. With the Flyers crushing win over the Leafs, 7-1, Philadelphia is just two points back form the Penguins.
- In the home and home stand, the Islanders scored four goals (2 each) within the final five minutes of the second period.
- Marc-Andre Fleury has allowed eight goals in the last two games. He allowed 3+ goals once in his previous nine.
- Evgeni Malkin’s third period goal was his 100th point of the season.
Three Stars
- Josh Bailey
- Kyle Okposo
- Pascal Dupuis
Photo courtesy of Yahoo! sports
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