The Islanders won the big game.
NHL. Regular season
Pittsburgh – Islanders – 2:4 (1:0, 1:1, 0:3)
Goals: Gunzel – 24 (Crosby, Raquel), 6:12 – 1:0. Nelson – 25 (Paris), 25:19 – 1:1. Zucker – 15 (bol., Pitri, Kapanen), 32:26 – 2:1. Croatian – 33 (Fashing), 48:34 – 2:2. Lee – 22 (Martin, Horvath), 50:15 – 2:3. Nelson – 26 (p.v., Parise), 59:35 – 2:4.
Goalkeepers: Jerry (58:06 – 59:35) – Sorokin.
Penalty: 30 — 32.
Throws: 46 (19+18+9) — 32 (7+17+8).
Our: Malkin (20.35/6/-2) – Romanov (16.10/1/0).
February 21st. Pittsburgh. PPG Paints Arena. 18094 viewers.
Having surrendered after the tragedy in the family of Alexander Ovechkin, “Washington” is at great risk of not getting into the playoffs. Florida, which was slipping at the start, is gaining momentum, Pittsburgh is confidently going, and the Islanders today pulled out a victory away from a direct competitor. The match against the Penguins turned out to be very hot and rich in bright moments.
A completely passable first period was completely for the Penguins: they almost tripled the opponent (19-7) and took the lead thanks to a goal from Gunzel. Ilya Sorokin pulled everything he could, and in the second period, his partners also began to help him. Just look how Alexander Romanov pulled the puck off the ribbon!
Sorokin himself also scored a masterpiece save that Chris Letang will remember for a long time to come. When the legendary Pittsburgh guard shot from an uncomfortable position, he probably saw the puck already in the net, but the Russian goaltender put his stick out and did not allow the goal to take place.
Immediately after this moment, a mass brawl broke out at the gates of the Islanders. Goalkeepers, as in the recent match between Anaheim and Los Angeles, did not want to fight, but it was still hot. Evgeni Malkin, for example, showed his boxing skills.
The bright ending of the second period clearly cheered up the guests. Pittsburgh goaltender Tristan Jarry apparently remained impressed by Sorokin’s game. Bo Horvat’s shot was not the most dangerous, but the puck still ended up in the net. The former captain of Vancouver successfully entered the new team: Horvath already has four goals in eight matches.
The victory for the Islanders was brought by Anders Lee, and in this combination it was not without the participation of Horvath. The club’s general manager, Lou Lamorello, was still able to add what the Islanders lacked so much for an integral game.
Sorokin eventually repelled 44 shots out of 46 and still remains one of the main contenders for the Vezina Trophy. Only Swede Linus Ullmark from Boston can stop him, showing simply incredible statistics.
