Kyle Okposo made his move. Marc-Andre Fleury bought it the whole way. And when it was over, the New York Islanders were victorious over their Metropolitan Division opponents, the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday.
The Islanders have now won seven of their last eight games, their latest a 5-4 shootout victory in what was an entertaining, high-scoring contest.
The @NYIslanders improved to 8-1-0 this season in games decided by a single goal, including 4-0-0 in the shootout. pic.twitter.com/BkVA8Z34Vo
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 22, 2014
Twice the Islanders had a two-goal lead, thanks in part to three goals scored 95 seconds apart in the first period, but the Penguins managed to come back and earn a single point.
“I think that’s the sign of a good team,” Islanders head coach Jack Capuano told NHL.com. “When you don’t play well, and you don’t stay focused and you don’t do the intangibles that it takes, you still win the hockey game.
“So, they’re a good team in there. They have to believe in playing the right way and I know it’s going to happen over a long season, but tonight, we needed to be a little bit better.”