Penguins Blast Islanders 8-3 to Move into East Playoff Spot

Pittsburgh scored four goals in less than 6.5 minutes midway through the second period to take control of the game. The Penguins, who now have 90 points to the Islanders' 89, have eight games remaining compared to seven for New York, who could drop out of playoff position as early as Tuesday.

Sidney Crosby returned from a one-game injury absence and was one of 15 skaters to register a point for the Penguins. The Islanders, who had allowed just seven goals in their previous four games combined, were done in by porous defense in front of goaltender Ilya Sorokin.