Justin Brazeau scored a breakaway goal in the later stages of the third period to lift the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 4-3 win over the New York Islanders.

PITTSBURGH, PA -- The New York Islanders fell 4-3 to the Pittsburgh Penguins to open up their regular season. Deadlocked at 3-3, Justin Brazeau scored the game-winner at 5:39 of the third period to win the game for Pittsburgh.

For all the change that came this offseason, the Islanders were left ruing the same what-ifs that sunk them a year ago.

PITTSBURGH -- Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby combined for five points, and Justin Brazeau broke a tie late in the third period, helping the Pittsburgh Penguins spoil Matthew Schaefer ’s NHL debut with a 4-3 win against the New York Islanders at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday.

It was a night of firsts for several Pittsburgh Penguins' players in Thursday's home opener against the New York Islanders.

The Pittsburgh Penguins host the New York Islanders after Justin Brazeau's two-goal game against the New York Rangers in the Penguins' 3-0 win

PITTSBURGH — Matthew Schaefer showed he could impact an NHL game as the No. 1 overall pick’s speed and poise helped the Islanders play a noticeably faster game than they could last season. The 18-year-old defenseman needed a little more than a half of a period to record his first point.

Islanders forward Jonathan Drouin has been suspended for cross-checking Penguins forward Connor Dewar in the season opener.

There's nothing like shaking off some rust, and ahead of taking on the New York Rangers in former head coach Mike Sullivan's return to PPG Arena, the Pittsburgh

Schaefer and Shabanov hit the scoresheet in their NHL debuts, Drouin gets first goal as an Islander in loss to Pittsburgh

The Penguins began their season on the road with a win against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden in New York City.