The final 20 minutes was wild enough for three periods with five combined goals and two sustained scrums along with the other physical play. The larger crowd at Nassau Coliseum grew increasingly loud with the Islanders trying to complete their rally.
But the final twist belonged to the Penguins as Brandon Tanev swatted in a puck at the crease to cap a 5-4 win in Thursday night’s Game 3 before a sell-out crowd of 6,800 at Nassau Coliseum.
The Penguins took a 2-1 series lead in the pivotal game.
"It’s a best of seven series," said the Islanders’ Cal Clutterbuck, who scored two goals in the third period.