Sidney Crosby fires a shot for a goal. Getty Images/Gene J. Puskar

The Penguins got exactly what they needed. Tomas Vokoun stopped all 31 shots to blank the Islanders 4-0 in Game Five. Pittsburgh leads the best-of-seven first round series three games to two. They put the Islanders on the brink thanks to a three-goal explosion in the second period.

The East’s No.1 seed played like it for a change. Following a shaky first period in which they relied on Vokoun (14 saves), the Pens scored three times over a 6:35 span. The first two came 82 seconds apart. With the big contest still scoreless, Norris candidate Kris Letang made a stretch pass that sent Tyler Kennedy in on a breakaway. Kennedy didn’t play the first four games but made his coach look brilliant by scoring his first of the series past Evgeni Nabokov. The goal came at 7:25 of the second. Brandon Sutter also added an assist.

Suddenly feeling better about themselves, the Pens attacked the Islanders vigorously. A strong fore-check from Chris Kunitz led directly to their second goal. A hustling Kennedy kept the play alive by out-hustling an Islander to a loose puck. He played it to Evgeni Malkin, who sent it behind the net to a fore-checking Kunitz. He delivered a check to win the battle and got the puck to defenseman Doug Murray. Murray simply flung a routine wrister which Nabokov stunningly bobbled out of his glove into a gaping net.

The back breaking goal resulted in a 2-0 Pens lead, energizing Consol Energy Center. Prior to the two goals, it was dead silent on pins and needles. The Isles outplayed the Pens till that point. Though they didn’t get many high quality chances like the past three games, they forced Vokoun to make key stops. Unlike Marc-Andre Fleury, he was equal to the challenge with teammates coming back to clear any rebounds. Pittsburgh played a safer and smarter game, helping Vokoun get comfortable. They waited for their chances and pounced. That’s why they’re so dangerous.

Vokoun came up with his biggest save on John Tavares, stoning the Isles’ best despite a brilliant move. Shortly after, the Pens’ best came through with a highlight reel goal. Sidney Crosby struck quickly to put the home team up three. Taking a Jarome Iginla pass through the neutral zone, Sid The Kid overpowered defenseman Thomas Hickey– splitting between him and Lubomir Visnovsky before firing a laser past Nabokov inside the far post. The goal was reminiscent of the kind Mark Messier was known for. He used his strength like Mess, bulled through and then pushed off one leg and in one motion snapped it. That’s why he’s the best player in the world.

Crosby’s third of the series really dejected the Islanders. They were outscored 3-0 and out-shot 18-11 in the middle stanza. Only two penalties were called through the game’s first 40 minutes. In the final period, the Isles lost their discipline. Matt Martin got nabbed for roughing during a post-scrum with Paul Martin. It wasn’t a great call. Regardless, the Pens cashed in when Letang notched his second from Crosby and Martin, who probably should’ve been in the box. With the score 4-0, Jack Capuano replaced Nabokov for the second time in the series with backup Kevin Poulin. He also appeared in the only other un-competitive game back in Game One when the Pens defeated the Isles 5-0.

This one was different. It was more methodical. Pittsburgh wore down the Islanders. The Isles only got six shots on Vokoun in the third. However, they did mix it up with the Pens late. These teams hate each other. At the conclusion of Game Four, it was the higher seed that was angry. This time, the No.8 seed tried to send a message that they aren’t going away. If they are to stay alive, the Islanders will need to rev it up in front of their home crowd one more time on Saturday. Win and they force Game Seven the next day. Lose and they go home.

The Islanders have never lost to the Penguins in the postseason, winning three previous times including their last series when they upset the two-time defending champs in ’93. That team came back from a 3-2 deficit, defeating the Pens in their barn on an overtime goal from David Volek. We’ll see if they can duplicate it this weekend.

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Tomas Vokoun, Pit (31 save shutout incl. 14/14 in busy 1st)
2nd Star-Sidney Crosby, Pit (3rd of series, assist- 8 points in 4 games, +1 in 19:25)
1st Star-Kris Letang, Pit (PPG-2nd of series, assist, 5 SOG, +2 in 24:21-dominated on both ends)

Game Summary: New York Islanders 0 Pittsburgh Penguins 4

Notes: Nabokov was chased early in the third after Letang’s power play goal with 14:17 left. He gave up four goals on 27 shots. Poulin stopped all four in relief. … The teams combined for 60 penalty minutes in the third (NYI 34 Pit 28). Martin, Keith Aucoin, Murray and Craig Adams all were assessed misconducts with 24 seconds remaining. … Each club made lineup changes. For Pittsburgh, Kennedy, Joe Vitale and Simon Despres replaced Jussi Jokinen, Tanner Glass and Mark Eaton. On the Islander side, Jesse Joensuu, Hickey and Radek Martinek were in for David Ullstrom, Andrew MacDonald and Matt Carkner.

… Pittsburgh took control on face-offs winning 37-of-58 (64 percent). Vitale went 9-for-10, Sutter was 8-for-12 and Crosby went 10-for-18. The Isles’ best was Joensuu, who finished 5-for-9 while Nielsen was 6-for-13. Tavares struggled losing 13-of-18 while Casey Cizikas dropped 10-of-14. … Pens out-hit Isles 33-27 led by Matt Cooke (6). Matt Martin had a game high eight. … Pens blocked 14 shots to the Isles’ 9. Brooks Orpik blocked three for the Pens and Hickey rejected four for the Isles. … Game Six is Saturday and expected to be a 7 PM start at Nassau Coliseum due to Ottawa eliminating Montreal in five games tonight.