The Skinny: Penguins 3, Isles 2 (OT)

(Note sure why this didn't go out when I originally wrote it, but here's
Friday's Skinny for the scrapbooks (or the scrapheep!)

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 4
Penguins 3, Islanders 2 (OT)

Alex Goligoski scored on a 4-on-3 1:51 into overtime as the Penguins defeated
the Islanders 3-2 in front of a sellout crowd of 18,195 at Consol Energy Center
in Pittsburgh. Goligoski's goal spoiled an otherwise perfect night on the
penalty kill for the Islanders, who had killed the first seven Penguin power
play attempts, including 6:00 in a 6:26 stretch in the first period and a 1:12
of 3-on-5 time in the second period. It was the Penguins' first victory, after
three defeats in their sparkling new home.
Pens Strike First
Following a scoreless first period, the Penguins grabbed the lead with two goals

in a 2:50 span early in the second period. Mike Rupp, who was once a first
round draft pick of the Isles (but didn't sign) converted a rebound of a Paul
Martin shot to give the Pens the lead at 4:07. Eric Tangradi doubled the
advantage at 6:57, recording his first NHL goal as his shot deflected in off
Milan Jurcina.
Letang Ejection Changes Momentum
Less than a minute after Tangradi's goal, Chris Letang was ejected for an
illegal shot to the head (although television replays appeared to indicate that
the contact with Blake Comeau was to his shoulder. The Isles ended up with a
three minute power play (Josh Bailey took a minor penalty on the play) and they
capitalized when Bailey converted Comeau's pass for his second goal of the
season. Just seconds after the major power play expired, Radek Martinek tied
the game with his first goal of the season, and the 19th goal of his career.
Comeau also assisted on that goal and now leads the team in scoring with six
points (3-3-6).
Scoreless Third
For the second time in three nights, the Isles had the better of the play in the

third period, on the road against an elite team. However, neither team was able

to score; the Penguins even killed an Islander power play in the final 2:17.
The Isles have outscored their opponents 5-3 in the third period through the
first four games.
Goligoski Wins It
Milan Jurcina was given a hooking penalty in overtime and Goligoski's shot was
deflected off the stick of Frans Nielsen and by Rick DiPietro to give the Pens
the victory. Goligoski's goal extended his point streak to five games (3-2-5)
to start the season. Sidney Crosby and Evgeny Malkin earned assists on the
winner; their only points of the night. DiPietro finished with 26 saves, while
Brent Johnson had 22 for Pittsburgh. 3-2 Final.
Gillies v Godard
Trevor Gillies recorded his second fight of the season, battling former-Islander

Eric Godard. It was Gillies second fight, and the third in as many games for
the Islanders.
Who's the Backup?
Brent Johnson has won both of starts for Pittsburgh, while Marc-Andre Fleury is
0-3-0.
Every Point Counts
The Isles have earned a point in each of Rick DiPietro's three starts (1-0-2).
Working Extra
The Isles are now 0-2 in extra time (0-1 in overtime and 0-1 in shootouts). All

four of the Isles' games have been settled by an empty-net goal or less.
Too Few Men
The Isles played shorthanded for 13:43, including twice when they were penalized

for having too many men on the ice. They have allowed at least one power play
goal in each of the first four games, killing 18-23 overall (78.3%)
The Isles finished 1-6 on the power play, including 1-2 on a three-minute major
power play.
In the Circle
Zenon Konopka had another strong game on draws, winning 14 of 23 (61%). The
Isles won 33 of 63 overall.
Eaton Returns to Pittsburgh
Mark Eaton played 19:55 in his return to Pittsburgh, including 6:31 while
shorthanded. Eaton, the only NHL player born in Delaware, played 18 regular
season and 42 playoff games for the Penguins over the past four seasons, and was

a member of the Stanley Cup Champion team in 2009.
Weight Moving Up the Lists
Doug Weight earned an assist on Bailey's goal. It was his 1,029th career point
-- passing Brian Leetch for 66th place in NHL history.
The Long Road Ahead
This is the second game in a 15 game stretch that will find the Islanders
playing 12 on the road and only three at home. They are now 0-1-1 in the first
two games. Their three home games in that stretch are on October 16, October 29
and November 6.
Missing Men
The Isles, already without Mark Streit, Kyle Okposo and Rob Schremp for extended

periods, played for the third straight game without John Tavares. James
Wisniewski missed the second of two games due to a league suspension from his
gesture towards the Rangers' Sean Avery. Jack Hillen replaced Wisniewski in the

lineup.
Season Series Stats
This was the first of six meetings on the season and the Penguins now lead the
series 1 game to none (and two points to 1. The teams won't meet again until
after Christmas (December 29th at the Coliseum)
A Point in Pitt
The Isles earned a point in Pittsburgh for the first time since December 21,
2007. That night, the Isles won 4-2; Blake Comeau's first NHL goal was the
winner. The Penguins had won the last eight games between the teams in
Pittsburgh—all in regulation.
Containing the Kid…and Malkin, Too
The Isles held Crosby and Malkin to single assists; unfortunately they both came

on the winning goal. Crosby is 18-44-62 in 32 games against the Isles, while
Malkin is 17-23-40 in 29 games. Crosby and Malkin each have only one goal in
the Pens' first five games this season; they've combined for one fewer goal than

Goligoski (3).
This Date in Isles History: October 15
The Isles are now 7-3-2 on this date, including a 6-0 shutout win in
Philadelphia in 1987 for Kelly Hrudey.

Up Next
Saturday, October 16- Colorado Avalanche @ Islanders 7:00
[MSG+2 (Islanders pre-game at 6:30pm), WRHU 88.7FM]

The season's first set of back-to-back concludes on Saturday, with the only
visit of the season from the Colorado Avalanche.
The Isles have had Colorado's number in recent seasons – the Isles have earned
points in their last 7 games with the Av's (5 wins, 1 tie and 1 overtime loss)
since being blanked by Patrick Roy in November 2001.
The Isles won the only meeting last season, earning a 3-2 win on a late goal by
Kyle Okposo last January in Denver. That game featured the first career
match-up between Matt Duchesne and John Tavares. Neither rookie figured in the
scoring that night.
The Avs defeated New Jersey 3-2 at the Rock on Friday night behind 41 saves from

Craig Anderson. It's a lengthy stay in the metro area for Colorado, who will
play at Madison Square Garden on Monday.


Eric Hornick has been the statistician on Islander home game telecasts since
1982. Information contained in "The Skinny" has been gathered from various
sources.
Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home
telecasts since 1982. Visit my blog: forever1940.blogspot.com and follow me on
Twitter @ehornick