Anthony Mantha shines as Penguins score five in second period to beat Islanders

Anthony Mantha scored twice as the Pittsburgh Penguins produced a dominant second period to defeat the New York Islanders 8-3, according to the original report.

Pittsburgh overturned a 3-1 deficit by scoring five goals in the second period, shifting momentum in a key Metropolitan Division clash.

Mantha, who now leads the team with 29 goals, also added an assist.

“It means a lot. Last year, I battled through a lot. The confidence was there coming in here. No matter what, I knew I had more. Here I am just trying to contribute. And I mean, the guys on this team have had my back, the coaching staff had my back, from day one, so it's awesome to have results, too,” Mantha said, per NHL.

Rickard Rakell also scored twice, while Bryan Rust added a goal and an assist. Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang each contributed two assists.

The Islanders started strongly, taking a 3-1 lead early in the second period. However, defensive struggles proved costly.

“We were just awful defensively,” Islanders defenceman Ryan Pulock said.

“[We allowed] guys behind us, breakaways, losing puck battles… halfway through that period, we were just awful defensively.”

Penguins coach Dan Muse said his side stayed composed despite trailing.

“The start of the second period, we got away from the things that I liked in the first a little bit,” he said.

Islanders coach Patrick Roy described the momentum shift as decisive, calling it “a turning point in that game.”