Recap: Penguins 4, Islanders 3 OT

The New York Islanders Islanders salvaged a point on Thursday night, using a late rally to force overtime before falling 4-3 to the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
Trailing 3-1 in the third, the Islanders were five minutes away from what would have been their first consecutive regulation losses this season. Instead, they battled back, scoring twice in the final 4:53 to eek out a crucial point in what's looking like gridlock in the Metropolitan Division.

"We've done a good job late of bouncing back and we did that again tonight, but coming up short is tough," said Brock Nelson, who chipped home a rebound with 1:10 to play to force overtime. "That's definitely a point we'll like to have down the road."

Mat Barzal started the rally, snapping a low shot through traffic and rookie goalie Tristan Jarry (23 saves) with 4:53 to play. Barzal's goal - his eighth of the season - came on the Islanders' second shot of the period, but it galvanized his team, who poured it on as the clock wound down.
"That was a big-time goal to get us a little more momentum and we definitely fed off that," Nelson said.
With pressure mounting, the Islanders found another crack in the Penguins' late-game defense, as Andrew Ladd deflected Thomas Hickey's shot in front of the net and the rebound landed on Nelson's stick to tie the score.
The Islanders nearly ended the game in regulation, as Anders Lee rang a shot off both posts in the final minute, nearly stealing two points in Steel City. The game opened up in overtime with both teams trading high-quality chances. Josh Bailey was denied on a breakaway at one end, while Josh Ho-Sang and Jaroslav Halak (28 saves) held off a 3-on-1 at the other. Alas, Matt Hunwick ended it 1:29 into the extra frame.

"Obviously coming back is huge when you're down 3-1 on the road to that team and you can get a point out of it," head coach Doug Weight said.
Pittsburgh's first two goals - a first-period deflection from Jake Guentzel and a third-period snipe from Phil Kessel - came via the power play, while Riley Sheahan intercepted a misplay from Halak, walked into the slot and beat the Isles goalie. Kessel and Sheahan's goals came 32 seconds apart, but the Islanders calmed down and found a way to get back in the game.
"We found a way to battle back and get one," said Jordan Eberle, who crashed the crease to net his 12th of the season in the second period. "We salvaged a point and can be happy about that."

CIZIKAS RETURNS:
Casey Cizikas returned to the lineup after missing four games with a lower-body injury. Cizikas slotted back into to his spot on the fourth line with Jason Chimera and Cal Clutterbuck, skating 14:40 with an assist. Alan Quine (illness) came out of the lineup for Cizikas' return.
PENALTY KILL ALLOWS ANOTHER GOAL:
The Islanders penalty kill allowed multiple goals for the fourth straight game and allowed a power-play goal for the sixth straight contest.
NEXT GAME:
The Islanders wrap up their four-game road trip on Saturday night in Boston. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.