The New York Islanders defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-4 in a shoot-out last night on Long Island. The Pens fell behind 3-1 after one period, before battling back with two goals in the second period. Jake Guentzel scored twice in the loss. Jeff Carter scored a power play goal. Goaltender Casey DeSmith started consecutive games for just the second time this season. He stopped 33 of 37 shots.
A win last night would have clinched the Pens their 16th consecutive playoff berth, but with only earning one point, they will try to clinch that spot when they host the Islanders Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena.
Winger Brock McGinn was activated from injured reserve and returned to the Penguins lineup last night. He was injured blocking a shot against Vegas March 11th.
The Pens now lead the Washington Capitals by three points with seven games remaining. The Capitals, who currently are in a Wild Card spot, won their fourth consecutive game when they trounced Philadelphia 9-2 last night.
Carolina defeated the New York Rangers 4-2 last night in a battle for first place in the Metropolitan Division. Carolina now leads the Rangers by four points. Both teams have clinched playoff spots.
The NHL has postponed tonight’s Seattle-Winnipeg game until May 1st because of a winter storm that is expected to dump nearly two feet of snow in southern Manitoba with wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour.