Islanders’ Lehner stifles Pens’ offense

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Following an emotional pregame ceremony for their mourning city, Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins channeled their emotions into a flurry of a first period.

The Islanders spoiled their efforts for an uplifting finish, though, with Jordan Eberle scoring twice in the second period of New York’s 6-3 victory Tuesday night.

The Penguins held a ceremony to honor the victims of Saturday’s synagogue shooting in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Squirrel Hill. It included an 11-second moment of silence in memory of the 11 people slain, whose names appeared on the scoreboard.

Then the Pens came out flying, peppering goalie Robin Lehner with scoring chances, but New York escaped the first period in 2-2 tie.

“We wanted to go out there and play for them,” said Crosby, who scored late in the period. “You try to recognize that and play as hard as you can to show your appreciation. Words are one thing, but you try to go out there and follow it up the same.”

Islanders coach Barry Trotz said it ranked among New York’s “worst periods of the season” and the team struggled with “heavy boots,” but he understood the impact of the circumstances.

“I watched the news like everybody else, and it was absolutely cowardly what happened with the whole tragedy,” Trotz said. “But sometimes sports teams can help a city rally, and full marks to the Penguins because they came out hard. We got some great goaltending in the first period and that was the reason why we won the game.”

Eberle scored his second and third goals for the Islanders, who swept a three-game road trip. Brock Nelson scored his sixth of the season and fifth goal in five games, while Tom Kuhnhackl, who won two Stanley Cups in Pittsburgh, scored his first as an Islander. Andrew Ladd and Matt Martin also scored for New York, which has won four of six after starting the season 2-3.