Penguins hang on to defeat Islanders in Game 2, even series

PITTSBURGH --Tristan Jarry made 37 saves for the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 2-1 win against the New York Islanders in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup First Round at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday.

Jarry got his first win in three career Stanley Cup Playoff starts and helped the Penguins even the best-of-7 series. He allowed four goals on 41 shots in Game 1 here Sunday, when Pittsburgh lost 4-3 in overtime.
"I think I was just trying to keep it simple," Jarry said. "Just trying to get better than I was last game. I think that was something that I wanted to improve, be better tonight. I think that was an easy thing to do."

Bryan Rust and Jeff Carter each scored for the first time this postseason for the Penguins, the No. 1 seed in the MassMutual East Division. They had lost 10 of their previous 11 playoff games dating to 2018.
Semyon Varlamov made 43 saves for the Islanders, the No. 4 seed, after missing Game 1 for an undisclosed reason. Rookie Ilya Sorokin made 39 saves on 42 shots for New York in the series opener.
"I thought [Varlamov] was excellent after the first goal," Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. "I thought there were moments where they could've made it a 3-1 game and he came up with some key saves. … I thought he was moving well. He was crisp. All of that."
Game 3 will be at Nassau Coliseum on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN360, MSG, MSG+, ATTSN-PT).
Rust put the Penguins ahead 1-0 at 3:22 of the first period, scoring on a wrist shot glove side from above the right face-off circle.
"I think, for us, we're just trying to get out there and get to our game as fast as we can," Rust said. "Get out there, have a good start, create some momentum. Obviously, when you score the first goal, there's no better way of doing that."
Carter made it 2-0 at 13:07 when he scored his first playoff goal since April 22, 2016, for the Los Angeles Kings. After taking a pass from Jared McCann, Carter skated by New York defenseman Ryan Pulock to the slot for a wrist shot.
The Penguins outshot the Islanders 19-13 in the first period after having an 18-13 shot advantage in the first in Game 1.
"There's no magic pill that I can give everybody, 'Take this and have a good start,'" Trotz said. "It comes from within. … It's on the room to do that. They know. We've talked about that, getting off to a good start. Best way you can is simplify your game, get after it, get determined, win your battles. Usually, it works out that way."

Josh Bailey deked around Carter for a backhand from the left hash marks to cut it to 2-1 at 14:44 of the second period.
"I think we just stayed with it," New York defenseman Scott Mayfield said. "At home, they're going to have a push right off the start. That's kind of what's nice about playing at home. On the road, it's a little tough sometimes.
"The fans were buzzing and it was loud in there. They had a little push at the start. Our biggest thing is staying with our game plan. I think we got to it eventually."
The Islanders had one shot on goal on a power play that lasted the final 1:28 of the third period after Rust was called for closing his hand on the puck.
Pittsburgh led 2-1 entering the third period in Game 1 before New York scored twice on 13 shots. Jarry did not allow a goal on 10 shots in the third period Tuesday.
"I thought Tristan had a great game," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "He's done that for us for most of this year. He's been a big part of the success that this team has enjoyed to this point."
NOTES: Carter scored his 40th NHL playoff goal, becoming the 12th active player to reach the mark and the third current Penguins player (Sidney Crosby, 69; Evgeni Malkin, 63). … Malkin (undisclosed) missed a second straight game. The center practiced Monday but did not take line rushes or participate in power-play drills. … The Islanders' power play to end the third period was their only chance of the game. They were 0-for-2 in Game 1, failing to score on a four-minute power play after Carter was given a double minor for high-sticking at 12:25 of the second period.