National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
NY Islanders 4, Florida 2
When: 7:00 PM ET, Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Where: Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York
Referees: Greg Kimmerly, Dave Lewis
Linesmen: Mike Cvik, Derek Nansen
Attendance: 11812

Islanders 4, Panthers 2: Josh Bailey scored the go-ahead goal midway through the second period and also notched an assist as host New York salvaged the finale of its three-game season series versus Florida.

Defenseman Travis Hamonic converted on the power play and Mike Halmo netted his first career goal by cleaning up his own rebound on a 2-on-1 rush early in the third period. Matt Martin scored his career-high eighth tally and Evgeni Nabokov made 20 saves for the Islanders, who improved to 6-2-1 in their last nine contests.

Quinton Howden netted a short-handed goal and Brandon Pirri tallied for the second straight contest, but the reeling Panthers fell for the seventh time in eight games.

Bailey gave New York a 2-1 lead at 11:18 of the middle session by burying a rebound after Colin McDonald drove to the net. McDonald notched his second assist on the next tally, as his sharp-angle shot from deep in the right faceoff circle enabled Martin to convert the juicy rebound at 17:36.

Howden drew first blood 1:50 into the game as he stripped New York defenseman Matt Donovan of the puck at the blue line before skating in on a breakaway and beating Nabokov. Hamonic answered 45 seconds later as his wrist shot from the point handcuffed Scott Clemmensen (36 saves).

GAME NOTEBOOK: Florida RW Brad Boyes' balky back tightened up midway into the first period and he did not return. ... Pirri's power-play goal with six seconds remaining in the third period improved the Panthers to 1-for-25 in their last nine contests. ... Florida has yielded at least one power-play goal in 12 of its last 14 games.
Top Game Performances
 
Florida   NY Islanders
Quinton Howden 1 Points Josh Bailey 2
Quinton Howden 1 Goals Josh Bailey 1
Brian Campbell 1 Assists Colin McDonald 2
Brandon Pirri 1 Power Play Goals Travis Hamonic 1
Quinton Howden 1 Short Handed Goals N/A
Scott Clemmensen .900 Save Percentage Evgeni Nabokov .909
Scott Clemmensen 36 Saves Evgeni Nabokov 20
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Florida 22 2 1-3 3-4 30 29
NY Islanders 40 4 1-4 2-3 18 29
Upcoming Games
  • NY Islanders will play their next game on the road against Ottawa. The Islanders have a W/L % of .333 after a win and .444 after a loss.
  • Florida will play their next game at home against Calgary. The Panthers have a W/L % of .286 after a win and .388 after a loss.