Hunwick, Penguins defeat Islanders in overtime

PITTSBURGH --Matt Hunwick scored 1:29 into overtime to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 4-3 win against the New York Islanders at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday.
Bryan Rust carried the puck to the crease and shot off Jaroslav Halak and Hunwick scored on the rebound. The goal was upheld following a review for goaltender interference.

\[WATCH: All Islanders vs. Penguins highlights\]
"They kind of had a rush down at the other end and you kind of get going end to end there," Hunwick said. "I think they made a change and we were able to get a 3-on-2 and [Rust] just got it to the net. I was able to bang in the rebound."
The Penguins (16-11-3) have won five of their past six games (5-1-0).
The Islanders (16-9-3) have lost three of four (1-2-1) after winning seven of their previous eight (7-1-0).
"I liked our game," Islanders coach Doug Weight said. "I liked where we were throughout it. Obviously, coming back is huge when you're down 3-1 on the road to that team and you get a point out of it. … It was a really good point, but I'm still [ticked] off about it."
Phil Kessel and Riley Sheahan scored 32 seconds apart to give Pittsburgh a 3-1 lead in the third period. Kessel scored in a third straight game to make it 2-1 on a power play at 7:29 before Sheahan intercepted a pass from Halak against the near wall and shot over Halak while he was retreating to his crease at 8:01.

Sheahan's goal was his second in 29 games this season and first that wasn't shot into an empty net.
"Empty-netters are nice, but it's not the way you picture your first one," Sheahan said. "So to get one tonight definitely felt good."
The Islanders erased that lead when Mathew Barzal scored on New York's second shot of the period at 15:07, and Brock Nelson tied it 3-3 at 18:50.

"We have to take the good things out of tonight," Barzal said. "Good battle back and we got one point, which was nice."
Kris Letang gave Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead at 12:17 of the first period when his slap shot through traffic got past Halak for a power-play goal.
Kessel had a chance to extend the Penguins lead to 2-0 when he went on a breakaway early in the second period. With Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock chasing him, Kessel went forehand to backhand, but was denied when Halak slid right to make the save at 1:27.

Jordan Eberle tied it 1-1 at 5:53. New York controlled the puck for nearly a minute after Sidney Crosby's stick broke, which allowed Eberle to take the puck down low and set up Pulock for a one-timer.
Tristan Jarry made the initial save while falling in his crease and Eberle shot in the rebound for his fifth goal in seven games.
Jarry made 23 saves. He has won three of four starts (3-1-0) since Matt Murray sustained a lower-body injury against the Philadelphia Flyers on Nov. 27.

"I want to work as hard as I can and just get in front of as many pucks as I can," Jarry said. "I think that's what I've been trying to do."
Halak made 28 saves for New York.
Penguins forward Tom Kuhnhackl left in the third period with an apparent injury after playing 9:17. He was in the process of being evaluated after the game, Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said.

Goal of the game

Hunwick's goal at 1:29 of overtime.

Save of the game

Jarry's save on Josh Bailey at 1:07 of overtime.

Highlight of the game

Sheahan's goal at 8:01 of the third period.

They said it

"It's a little discouraging. We had complete control of the period, at least we felt, up until that point. … This team usually has been very good at making sure we defend leads the right way and keep going at teams."-- Penguins coach Mike Sullivan on failing to hold onto a two-goal lead
"We found a way to get one [point]. We battled back in the end. It was a good road game. Going into the third with a 1-1 game. They make it 3-1 and we battled back. It was a weird game in that aspect, but I guess you can salvage a point and be happy about that." -- Islanders forward Jordan Eberle

Need to know

The Islanders played without defenseman Johnny Boychuk, who was out with an undisclosed injury. Weight said it is not expected to be serious. … Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz did not play because of a lower-body injury he sustained against the New York Rangers on Tuesday. He is expected to miss several weeks.

What's next

Islanders: At the Boston Bruins on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; NESN, MSG+ 2, NHL.TV)
Penguins: Host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, CBC, ATTSN-PT, NHL.TV)