The New York Islanders find themselves within reach of a playoff spot following their comeback victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night.
The win, led by four unanswered goals in the third period, puts Patrick Roy's squad within three points of a playoff spot with a chance to make it one point with a win over the Montreal Canadiens tonight.
The Islanders pulled off their second consecutive comeback in as many games, scoring four third-period goals to secure a regulation win after starting the final frame with a 2-0 deficit in both games.
Islanders Tie NHL Record with Another Third-Period Comeback, Keep Playoff Hopes AliveThe New York Islanders earned a comeback win for the second time in as many games on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Trailing 2-0 entering the third period, the Islanders once again rattled off four straight goals to pull out a 4-2 win and keep their playoff hopes alive.
At this point in the season, the Islanders know what they are getting from their top forwards.
Anders Lee is all about rebounds, Kyle Palmieri drives to the net, Bo Horvat can create plays and score, and JG Pageau is elusive and responsible on both ends of the ice.
If the Islanders are going to make the playoffs, it will be from the depth contributing offensively, something seen in the team's two latest games.
“We’re getting a lot of important goals from those bottom two lines,” Roy said.
"We talk about it. I mean, if we're making that push, it's got to be everybody. Everybody's got to have to participate and give it a little bit of an extra [push], and that's what you're looking for.”
In Sunday night's comeback against the Florida Panthers, the scoring began with Marc Gatcomb, followed by Max Tsyplakov getting the equalizer:
Tsyplakov breakaway 🚨beats Vanecek and it's 2-2 with 7:44 to go in the third. pic.twitter.com/K0F4bDaKv3
— The Elmonters (@TheElmonters) March 17, 2025
Nine different skaters, including six forwards, registered a point.
Against the Penguins, Pierre Engvall scored the game-winning goal, with five forwards registering a point and no forward registering a negative plus/minus.
Pierre Engvall.#Isles now up 3-2 with 6:52 to go in the third. pic.twitter.com/61cZdehdYh
— The Elmonters (@TheElmonters) March 19, 2025
These three goal-scorers have not found the scoresheet too often this season, yet they showed up at the most important time to lead the Islanders to four massive points in the standings.
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