NEW YORK _ The Islanders are almost certain to miss the playoffs. Again. But, for one night, they were clearly better than the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions.
Mathew Barzal, furthering his candidacy to earn the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie, had a goal and an assist and Christopher Gibson stopped 36 shots as the Islanders beat the Penguins, 4-1, on Tuesday night at Barclays Center.
The Islanders (31-32-10), who remain in last place in the Metropolitan Division but matched the Rangers' 72 points, snapped a three-game losing streak, though they are still just 2-7-4 since Feb. 19.
The Penguins (41-27-5) failed to sweep the four-game season series from the Islanders. Matt Murray made 36 saves in his first start since Feb. 23 after he missed nine games with a concussion.
The Islanders took a 2-0 lead with a strong first period as Barzal tipped Johnny Boychuk's blue-line shot at 5:10 for his 20th goal and Adam Pelech connected on a one-timer from above the left circle at 10:33.
Conor Sheary's one-timer from the right circle brought the Penguins within 2-1 at 17:14 of the second period.
But Anders Lee, adding to his career high, roofed a power-play backhander for his 36th goal to give the Islanders a 3-1 lead at 5:41 of the third period and Jordan Eberle's empty-netter at 17:31 clinched the win.
