The Penguins dominated the Islanders on Saturday night.
But the Islanders also beat themselves between ill-timed penalties and loose defensive play.
In all, the Islanders spotted the Penguins a five-goal lead and lost, 6-3, as the teams opened a two-game series in Pittsburgh. It matched the most goals the Islanders have allowed this season.
The Islanders (22-9-4) had a three-game winning streak snapped as rookie goalie Ilya Sorokin was pulled for the first time after allowing four goals on nine shots. But Sorokin got little defensive support as the Penguins, who got a hat trick from Bryan Rust and have won three straight, continually attacked the crease.