PENGUINS LOOK TO EVEN SERIES

PITTSBURGH AT NY ISLANDERS

WHEN: 7:30 PM ET, Friday, April 12, 2019
WHERE: Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York

Hosting a Game 1 of a postseason series for the first time in 31 years, the New York Islanders made the wait more than worthwhile for their fans with a pulsating overtime victory. New York has a chance to take a 2-0 edge in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series when they host Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night.

Although the teams split four meetings during the regular season, Wednesday's matchup was the first in four months and was settled when Josh Bailey scored 4 1/2 minutes into overtime after the Islanders failed to protect three one-goal leads. "I liked our composure on the bench," Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. "There were a lot of twists and turns to that game. ... And we stayed with it. I liked our group, they didn’t flinch at all, which is good." Although the Penguins scored late in regulation to force an the extra session, they are determined not to play catch-up again after allowing the opening goal less than two minutes into the series opener. "It's their home ice and we knew they were going to come out strong," Pittsburgh forward Jake Guentzel said. "Not the way we wanted to start for sure. We have to start better next game and go from there."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, CBC, TVAS2, AT&T Sportsnet-Pittsburgh, MSG, MSG-Plus (New York)

ABOUT THE PENGUINS: Evgeni Malkin, playing in his third game since missing more than 2 1/2 weeks to injury, scored on the power play and set up defenseman Justin Schultz's game-tying tally with 1:29 left in regulation to give him three goals and 13 points in seven playoff matchups versus New York. Phil Kessel, who finished the regular season with nine points in his last seven games, matched Malkin with a goal and an assist to give him eight points in five meetings versus the Islanders this season. Crosby was held off the scoresheet after scoring twice and collecting three assists in four previous meetings.

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS: Bailey emerged as the hero by batting in a rebound of Mathew Barzal's shot in overtime, but he had to have a short memory and recover after hitting a post in the final seconds of regulation. “That was tough to shake. I was worried I was going to have to see that one in my nightmares for a little while,” Bailey said. “A little bit of redemption -- just happy to get the win. Crucial game, there’s still a long way to go. But good win for us.” Although Trotz said he could use both goalies in the series, Robin Lehner got the call and made 41 saves in his first career postseason start.

OVERTIME

1. Islanders F Jordan Eberle's opening goal was his first in 14 career playoff games.

2. Malkin scored his 63rd playoff goal and needs one more to move into a tie with four others for 22nd place on the all-time list.

3. Ex-Penguins F Tom Kuhnhackl got a surprise start for New York in Game 1 and had a pair of goals disallowed.

PREDICTION: Penguins 3, Islanders 2