Isles’ rally goes for naught in OT loss

PITTSBURGH — Matt Hunwick scored 1:29 into overtime, lifting the Penguins over the Islanders 4-3 on Thursday night.

“I saw one of their guys changing, so it was a chance to create a 3-on-2,” the defenseman said after his first NHL overtime goal. “You hope you score there because if I had to go back down the ice and play defense again, I’d probably be pretty tired.”

Jordan Eberle got his 12th goal for the Islanders, and Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson each scored in the third period. Nelson tied it with 1:10 left. Jaroslav Halak stopped 28 shots for the Islanders, who have lost three of four since a four-game winning streak.

The Islanders nearly won for the ninth time in 12 games, but Jarry made a stick save on Josh Bailey during a breakaway in overtime.

“It was a good road game,” Eberle said. “Going into the third with a 1-1 game, they make it 3-1 and we battled back. It was a weird game in that aspect, but I guess you can salvage a point and be happy about that.”

Pittsburgh led 3-1 in the third period, but the Islanders tied it with goals in the final 4:53. Hunwick salvaged a victory with his third of the season by pushing one in during a scramble in front of the net, created by Bryan Rust’s drive to the goal.

“[Rust] just got it to the net and I was able to bang in the rebound,” Hunwick said.

Phil Kessel got his team-leading 14th goal on a power play, and Jake Guentzel and Riley Sheahan also scored for Pittsburgh. Rookie Tristan Jarry made 23 saves for the Penguins, who have won five of six since a three-game losing streak.

The Penguins and Islanders both played without top defensemen. Pittsburgh’s Justin Schultz was placed on injured reserve and is expected to miss a couple weeks with a lower-body injury. Johnny Boychuk missed for the Islanders with a lingering undisclosed injury that isn’t believed to be serious.