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Okposo nets four goals as Islanders upend Penguins

Jan 17, 2015 - 5:29 AM Uniondale, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Kyle Okposo notched his first career hat trick, including the game-winner in the third period, and totaled four goals as the New York Islanders rallied for a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ryan Strome and Michael Grabner had the other goals, while Josh Bailey and John Tavares each posted three assists for the Islanders, who have won four straight games. Jaroslav Halak turned away 21 shots in the win.

"We just tried to keep things simple and get pucks to the net," said Bailey. "I don't think we got a lot done the first two periods, but we were able to grind it out there in the third."

Sidney Crosby had two goals and an assist, while David Perron also scored for the Penguins, who had a two-game winning streak snapped. Marc-Andre Fleury was tagged for five goals on 34 shots.

The Isles trailed by a goal entering the third, but tied the contest just 6:42 in as Bailey's shot from the left point was tipped on net by Tavares, with Okposo backhanding home the rebound.

Okposo then gave his team the lead at 11:51 as he took a feed from Bailey in the slot and picked his spot before zipping the puck home for a 4-3 advantage.

Steve Downie took an ill-advised slashing penalty on a retaliation with 2:41 to play, and Okposo sealed the victory 18 seconds later when he whacked the puck in for his 13th of the year.

Grabner scored with the net empty and 1:13 showing to account for the final score.

"It was not a smart penalty," said Pittsburgh head coach Mike Johnston. "We can't take penalties like that at that time of the game."

Pittsburgh drew first blood when a Chris Kunitz shot from the right wing hit off of Crosby in front at 10:52 on the power play, and the Pens scored 1 1/2 minutes later on another power play, this time from Perron.

Okposo's first goal of the game came off his right skate, as Tavares stickhandled down the left wing and sent it to the front where a charging Okposo saw the puck go in off his skate at 16:51 of the first.

Strome tied the game at 12:31 of the second after he swept it in from in front, but Crosby scored on a one-timer with 4.4 seconds to play in the second to give the Pens a 3-2 lead.

Game Notes

New York plays in Montreal on Saturday ... Pittsburgh hosts the Rangers on Sunday ... Kris Letang posted two assists in the game for Pittsburgh ... Pittsburgh was 2-for-2 on the power play, while New York went 1-for-3.