NEW YORK (AP) — Simon Holmstrom scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, Ilya Sorokin stopped Sidney Crosby on a late penalty shot and the playoff-bound New York Islanders edged the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-4 on Wednesday night.
Samuel Bolduc and Brock Nelson each had a goal and an assist, and Casey Cizikas and Kyle Palmieri also scored for the Islanders, who ended the regular season having won eight of their last nine (8-0-1). Ruslan Iskhakov had his first NHL assist in his debut.
Sorokin finished with 39 saves, including one on Crosby in the final minute when the Penguins were awarded a penalty shot.
“It’s like a dream,” Sorokin said. “Good moment for me.”
The Islanders, who finished third in the Metropolitan Division, open the playoffs Saturday at Carolina.
“Playoffs are always another level, a different animal,” Nelson said. “They (Carolina) have a great team. They’ve been playing great all year.”
Bryce Miller and 3 relievers combine on a 1
VOX POPULI: Celebrating the arrival of spring the same way as in ‘Tale of Genji’
Chinese warships sail around Japan as tensions rise ahead of G7 summit
Weather updates: Warnings across South Island, Taranaki, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty
Jennifer Lopez, 54, shares side
Two US Navy sailors arrested on charges tied to national security and China
ASEAN summit: Myanmar community asks Parliament to block junta representatives
VOX POPULI: Manga artist exposes the juicy dynamics behind ‘oden’ factions
Alabama lawmakers advance bills to ensure Joe Biden is on the state's ballot
China coronavirus update: More than 88 million COVID
Golden Bachelor couple Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist reveal how her job impacted their marriage
VOX POPULI: Leadership skills of the past are missing in the politics of today