Penguins 4, Islanders 3 (OT): Defenseman Brooks Orpik scored 7:49 into overtime as visiting Pittsburgh put away pesky eighth-seeded New York to win its Eastern Conference first-round series in six games.
Evgeni Malkin, who had two assists, and Tyler Kennedy exchanged passes before the latter fed Orpik at the point. The defensive-minded blue-liner blasted a shot which sailed over the right shoulder of Evgeni Nabokov (17 saves) and under the crossbar for his first career playoff goal. The tally was Orpik's first since Nov. 21, 2011 - ironically in a 5-0 win over the Islanders.
Defenseman Paul Martin scored to forge a 3-3 tie with 5:16 remaining in the third period as his shot from the point deflected off the stick of New York's Frans Nielsen and past Nabokov.
Pascal Dupuis netted his team-leading fifth goal of the series and Jarome Iginla added his 30th career postseason tally. Tomas Vokoun turned aside 35 shots for the top-seeded Penguins, who will face seventh-seeded Ottawa in the second round. Pittsburgh won all three regular-season meetings with the Senators.
Michael Grabner collected a goal and an assist while Hart Trophy finalist John Tavares and Colin McDonald also tallied. Keith Aucoin set up a pair of goals for the Islanders, who have lost their last six postseason overtime games dating back to 1993.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The contest was the 16th to go into overtime in this season's NHL playoffs, matching the opening-round record set in 2012. ... With the teams deadlocked at 2-2, Aucoin intercepted Pittsburgh D Kris Letang's failed clearing attempt before skating in on net. Aucoin faked a shot and opted to set up Grabner's one-timer from the lower edge of the right faceoff circle at 2:21 of the third period. ... Dupuis has scored 10 goals versus the Islanders in 2013 - including five in as many regular-season games. ... New York C Brock Nelson made his NHL debut by taking the place of healthy scratch LW Jesse Joensuu. Nelson was the 30th overall pick of the 2010 draft. ... Islanders rookie C Casey Cizikas avoided serious injury after the skate blade of Penguins D Simon Despres glanced across his neck early in the first period. Cizikas returned to the ice later in the session. ... Vokoun went 5-0-0 against the Islanders in 2013.
Pittsburgh | NY Islanders | |
Paul Martin 2 | Points | Michael Grabner 2 |
Paul Martin 1 | Goals | Michael Grabner 1 |
Evgeni Malkin 2 | Assists | Keith Aucoin 2 |
N/A | Power Play Goals | N/A |
N/A | Short Handed Goals | N/A |
Tomas Vokoun .921 | Save Percentage | Evgeni Nabokov .810 |
Tomas Vokoun 35 | Saves | Evgeni Nabokov 17 |
Team | Shots | Goals | Power Play | Penalty Kill | Penalty Mins | Face Offs Won |
Pittsburgh | 21 | 4 | 0-1 | 3-3 | 6 | 29 |
NY Islanders | 38 | 3 | 0-3 | 1-1 | 2 | 44 |