Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Islanders’ Third-Period Rally Earns 4-2 Victory Over Penguins

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Zach Alvarado | Last updated Mar 18, 2025 10:13 PM ET

On Tuesday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins (28-32-10) looked to keep their win streak alive when they welcomed the New York Islanders (31-28-8) to town. A third-period collapse from the Penguins saw a 2-0 lead evaporate for a 4-2 loss to the Islanders.

Ilya Sorokin made 19 saves in the win, including multiple good chances from the Penguins. Despite the loss, Tristan Jarry played well again, making 36 saves.

Game Recap

In typical Islanders’ fashion, they came out using their speed early. They had a 5-0 shot advantage through the first four minutes, but the Penguins needed just one chance to take the lead. Just hours after being recalled from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on an emergency basis, Joona Koppanen scored his first career goal to give Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead at 4:40 of the opening period. A back-and-forth remaining 15 minutes saw the Penguins capitalize on one more chance before the horn. Sidney Crosby was able to find the loose puck following a shot block and chip home a shot to send the Penguins to the locker room with a 2-0 lead.

The second period saw more speed and chances from both teams. Jarry and Sorokin had to come up big multiple times. The period ultimately came to an end with the Penguins still with a 2-0 lead and 20 minutes away from making it a fifth-straight win.

The Islanders brought the game to within one 17 seconds into the third period as Kyle Palmieri scored his 21st goal of the season. Momentum from the Islanders’ first goal propelled them to a game-tying goal at 14:26 of the third period. Noah Dobson found the loose puck in front of the goal and batted it into the open net for his eighth of the season. The collapse of the Penguins continued with 6:52 to go. Pierre Engvall scored the Islanders’ third goal of the period to give them a 3-2 lead. With the empty net in sight, Simon Holmstrom scored the Islanders’ fourth goal of the period, snapping the Penguins’ win streak at four games.

The Penguins will look to regroup following their loss as they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night (March 21) in the final game of their five-game homestand. The Islanders head home as they begin a four-game homestand on Thursday night (March 20) with a meeting against the Montreal Canadiens.