Chris Kunitz scored in overtime for the Pittsburgh Penguins to give them a 2-1 lead over the New York Islanders in the Stanley Cup Play-Offs
Chris Kunitz scored an overtime winner for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they beat the New York Islanders 5-4 in their third Stanley Cup play-off match.
Kunitz, who has now scored 22 goals in 48 games this season for the Penguins, scored the winner 8.44 into the fourth period which gives them a 2-1 advantage in their best-of-seven matches.
The Islanders took an early lead during the opening period after they scored twice inside the opening six minutes through Matt Moulson and Casey Cizikas but the Penguins hit back in sensational style as they scored twice in 19 seconds.
Jarome Iginla scored his first play-off goal for the Penguins after he tipped in Kris Letang’s shot before Kunitz latched onto a great breakout pass from Evgeni Malkin to level proceedings at Nassau Coliseum.
The Penguins, who are hot favourites to lift the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2009, then scored a further two goals through Pascal Dupuis and Douglas Murray to give them a 4-2 lead going into the final period.
However, the Islanders who sneaked into the play-off places towards the end of the season, showed the resilience that they had done during the second match of the series as they embarked on a comeback which sent the match into a fourth period.
Kyle Okposo made it 4-3 early in the third round when his wrist shot beat Marc-Andre Fleury. The Islanders were down to four men after Brian Strait was sent to the box for hooking.
The home side took it to overtime when John Tavares scored his first postseason goal.
The Penguins’ winning goal scorer Kunitz said: “(Felt) really good to get the winner in overtime.”
Meanwhile the Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, who got three assists during the game, added: “It was pretty emotional to be down that early.
“I thought we did a great job of staying with it.”
“Whatever happened (in regulation), none of that mattered.
“We had overtime to get ourselves the win. We wanted to do that. That was our focus. I don’t think anyone was dwelling on the fact that we gave up the lead,” Crosby continued.
“We just came out and tried to find a way to get the win.
“We stayed composed and found a way.”
Words: Adam Grice
Photo: Post Gazette
The Sporting Section 