Islanders edge Penguins in OT thriller

Bo Horvat's second goal of the game lifts New York to victory

Feb. 3, 2026 at 11:47pm

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In a back-and-forth affair, the New York Islanders defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-4 in overtime on Tuesday night. Bo Horvat scored the game-winning goal just 52 seconds into the extra period, capping off a strong performance that included two goals for the Islanders. Mathew Barzal also had a goal and an assist for New York, while goaltender Ilya Sorokin made 31 saves to earn the victory.

Why it matters

This was an important win for the Islanders, who are fighting to stay in the playoff race in the competitive Metropolitan Division. The Penguins, meanwhile, missed out on a chance to gain ground in the standings with the overtime loss.

The details

After the Penguins jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, the Islanders battled back to tie the game at 2-2 by the end of the first period. The teams traded goals in the second and third periods, setting the stage for Horvat's heroics in overtime. The Islanders forward collected a rebound and fired it past Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry to give New York the victory.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, February 4, 2026.
  • Horvat scored the game-winning goal just 52 seconds into overtime.

The players

Bo Horvat

Forward for the New York Islanders who scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime.

Mathew Barzal

Islanders forward who had a goal and an assist in the victory.

Ilya Sorokin

Goaltender for the Islanders who made 31 saves to earn the win.

Tristan Jarry

Goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins who made 28 saves in the overtime loss.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a tough game against a divisional rival, but the guys really battled hard and found a way to get the two points.”

— Barry Trotz, Head Coach, New York Islanders (Islanders Twitter)

“It's a tough one to swallow, but we'll regroup and get ready for the next one. We had our chances, we just couldn't close it out.”

— Sidney Crosby (Penguins Website)

What’s next

The Islanders will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Penguins will aim to bounce back in their next game.

The takeaway

This was an exciting, back-and-forth game that showcased the competitiveness of the Metropolitan Division. Both teams had their chances, but in the end, the Islanders were able to pull out the victory thanks to Bo Horvat's heroics in overtime.