Islanders beat Penguins 3-2 on Tavares’ late goal

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) — Sidney Crosby spoiled rookie John Tavares’ NHL debut with the deciding shootout goal for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the New York Islanders’ season-opening loss last month.

Tavares got even against Crosby and the Penguins, scoring his first game-winning goal with 6:12 remaining in leading New York to a 3-2 victory on Friday.

Tavares’ rebound goal from the right post was his 10th goal of the season to cap an Islanders’ two-goal rally in the final period. That marked the first time in 11 games New York won when trailing after two periods.

“It’s nice to contribute when it matters most but overall it was a great team effort,” Tavares said. “It starts from everyone and to cash in there was a bonus.”

Josh Bailey and Sean Bergenheim added goals and Dwayne Roloson made 19 saves and New York scored two goals in the final period for its second win in three games.

Evgeni Malkin and Matt Cooke scored for Pittsburgh and Brent Johnson made 34 saves.

The Islanders killed off five power plays, including a key second-period 5-on-3, in snapping Pittsburgh’s three-game winning streak.

Roloson has 77 saves in the past two games after stopping a regular-season franchise-record 58 shots against Toronto earlier this week.

“We came out in the third and played phenomenal,” Roloson said. “It was the best period of hockey we’ve played. I give our guys credit for shutting down some very talented offensive players.”

New York entered the game 0-7-3 when trailing after two periods. But Bergenheim and Tavares each scored in the final period to end the streak. Pittsburgh entered 11-1 when leading after two periods.

“We pride ourselves on being a strong third-period team and raising our level when it’s time and we didn’t do a good job of it tonight,” Crosby said.

The Islanders had 18 third-period shots in outshooting the Penguins 37-21 for the game.