03/30/26 08:53:00
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03/30 20:51 CDT Anthony Mantha and the Penguins blitz the Islanders 8-3 to win
a big game in the East playoff race
Anthony Mantha and the Penguins blitz the Islanders 8-3 to win a big game in
the East playoff race
By STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Hockey Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --- Anthony Mantha had two goals and an assist, Rickard Rakell
scored twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins rallied to defeat the New York
Islanders 8-3 on Monday night in a crucial game in the competitive Eastern
Conference playoff race.
The Penguins trailed 3-1 midway through the second period before scoring four
times in less than 6 1/2 minutes to take over. Their seventh goal on their 28th
shot eight minutes into the third chased Ilya Sorokin, who was done in by
porous defense in front of him and relieved by backup David Rittich.
Pittsburgh with the regulation victory leapfrogged New York into second place
in the Metropolitan Division, 90 points to 89. The Penguins have eight games
left in the regular season compared to seven for the Islanders, who could find
themselves outside a spot as early as Tuesday night depending on results of
their next game and others in contention in the East.
Returning from a one-game injury absence, Sidney Crosby was one of 15 skaters
on his team to register a point in a significant bounce back from losing at
home to Dallas without him on Saturday. Longtime running mate Evgeni Malkin
missed a fourth consecutive game and is considered day to day.
The Islanders are relatively healthy, but their details were sorely lacking in
blowing a multigoal lead and doing so in stunning fashion. They had allowed
seven goals in their previous four games combined, with Hall of Fame goaltender
coach Patrick Roy preaching a 0-0 mindset and relying on Sorokin to make up for
any mistakes.
Even Sorokin could not compensate against the Penguins, who got solid
goaltending from Arturs Silovs.
Up next
Penguins: Stuart Skinner is expected to start Tuesday night at home against the
Detroit Red Wings.
Islanders: Visit the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night, with Sorokin potentially
in line to get the nod again.
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
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