Islanders extend point streak to 12 with win over Panthers

The New York Islanders lost a tough game in overtime to the Pittsburgh Penguins.  They led 3-0 heading into the third period but blew the lead and the game in OT.  However, they needed to turn right around on Saturday afternoon against an upstart Florida Panthers team.

The Islanders were able to string together three full periods in a 2-1 victory at the Barclays Center.  The Islanders found themselves on an early Power Play.  Anders Lee scored but the goal was waved off for incidental goaltender interference.  As the PP ended, Mathew Barzal faked a shot and got Sergei Bobrovsky to bite on it.  He then roofed a backhand into the open net to give the Islanders an early 1-0 lead.

The Islanders held that lead all through the second period.  The highlight of the period was a diving save by Jordan Eberle in the crease to preserve the 1-0 lead.  Thomas Greiss was excellent all game long, but especially in the second period.

The Panthers got a Power Play and scored in the third period, on a beautiful shot by Aleksander Barkov.  Just 39 seconds after the goal, the Islanders retook the lead when Scott Mayfield’s shot hit off three Panthers and into the net.  The Islanders have gotten some puck luck this season, and this was just another example.  The Panthers looked to have tied it up again on a Barkov deflection but the deflection was deemed a high stick and it was ruled a no goal.

The Islanders held their ground for the rest of the third and the Islanders extended their point streak to 12 games.  Thomas Greiss made 37 saves in the winning effort. It wasn’t pretty, but that’s Islanders hockey.  They’ve found ways to win in 11 of the last 12 games and even in their lone loss still got a point.  Up next is a matchup with John Tavares and the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night at the Nassau Coliseum.