Penguins beat the Islanders 6-4

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CLUTCH PK
The Penguins were clinging to a 5-4 lead when the Islanders received a glorious opportunity to tie it with 8:16 to play. Letang was called for hooking, giving New York a power play. But then 1:10 later, Tanner Glass tripped John Tavares to give New York a 5-on-3 advantage for 50 seconds and an additional power play following.

Pittsburgh was able to kill off both penalties and escape unscathed. But it was a major moment in the game that the Penguins’ penalty kill unit, which ranks first in the NHL, came through in the clutch against the best players on a talented and dynamic offensive team.

“The last five minutes of the game was a crucial time and we knew what we had to do,” Brandon Sutter said. “Lately we’ve done a good job killing penalties. Getting that in the last few minutes was a confidence booster.”

Brooks Orpik, Craig Adams and Sutter handled the duties over the boards.

“They did a great job out there against five of the most talented guys out there on a 5-on-3,” head coach Dan Bylsma said. “Those guys did a great job in that regard. We were able to kill both penalties off and preserve the win.”

Goaltender Jeff Zatkoff saved the game with his toe when he made a split-pad save on Frans Nielsen on a cross-crease pass at the side of the net.

“I told the guys I owed them that one after I let that fourth one in, it just snuck through,” Zatkoff said. “I was going to have to make a big save to keep us in it. I was able to get a piece of that. But that’s really all they had. Guys cleared everything out of there. The penalty killers did a great job.” >> Read more

Media Links
End Game
Box Score
Photo Gallery
Geico Coach’s Corner
Post Game: Matt Niskanen
Post Game: Jeff Zatkoff

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