Midway through the third period against the Islanders Thursday night, the Penguins needed a goal.
They had mostly dominated play since the second intermission, but the score was still tied, 1-1.
Then Scott Mayfield went to the box for tripping at 6:41 of the period, and that was all the opportunity they needed. Phil Kessel ripped a wrist shot from the left circle past Jaroslav Halak to put the Penguins ahead, on their way to a 4-3 overtime victory.
That has been a familiar formula for them this season. When in desperate need of a goal or even just an offensive spark, the Penguins’ power play has often found a way to come through.