Penguins hold off Islanders
UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Sidney Crosby managed to smile despite a swollen nose that was still bleeding long after it was struck by a puck.
The Penguins captain had reason to be happy. His nose wasn’t broken, and Pittsburgh held off the New York Islanders in a third period that turned more tense than expected.
Pittsburgh built a three-goal lead, and Marc-Andre Fleury seemed on track for a shutout, but New York rallied to get within one before falling short in a 4-2 loss on Tuesday night.
The Islanders had been the only Atlantic Division rival the Penguins hadn’t beaten this season. Pittsburgh escaped despite facing seven power plays against, including one with under seven minutes left when New York pressed for the tying goal.
“I didn’t feel like we were out of control or undisciplined,” Fleury said. “Maybe we made a few mistakes and that ended up costing us. Other than that, I thought we worked pretty hard and played pretty well.”
James Neal staked Pittsburgh to an early lead, and Simon Despres and Brandon Sutter extended it. Fleury made 32 saves and didn’t get a chance to really relax until Pascal Dupuis’ empty-net goal in the final minute.
The Penguins looked plenty comfortable when they took a 3-0 lead 1:44 into the third on Sutter’s goal, but the Islanders suddenly stormed back just as it seemed they would be shut out at home for the second straight game.
Michael Grabner began the comeback at 3:14, and Brad Boyes — moved up to the top line for this game — made it 3-2 just 35 seconds later.
“Not too nervous,” Fleury said with a slight laugh. “We’ve played those types of games quite a bit, so I think the whole team stayed calm and kept playing in our system. I don’t think they got much after that.”
Penguins coach Dan Bylsma called timeout and settled down his club, which won its fourth straight dating to a home loss against the Islanders last Tuesday.
“They were buzzing and we knew that we had to find a way to slow things down,” Crosby said. “It was a good call by the coach to do that, and the guys responded really well.”
So did the Penguins captain. He briefly left the ice in the second period after he was struck in the face. Some fans cheered Crosby’s injury but to their dismay, only a few minutes elapsed before he was back on the bench and then on the ice.
“Am I gushing still? I can’t tell,” he said as he dabbed at his nose. “It’s not a very comfortable situation to be in when you’re gushing.
“Nice surprise. I’m glad that it’s not broken.”
The Islanders’ offensive woes were also a surprise, just not a pleasant one for New York. The Islanders had scored at least four goals in five of its first seven games before being blanked by New Jersey on Sunday.
“We came back and got into the game,” Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. “I’m happy with the energy and the work ethic our guys showed. We put up 30-plus shots against a good hockey team. It’s not good enough, I realize that.”
