Islanders Notch First Win in Shootout

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- The New York Islanders joined the ranks of the NHL's teams with victories this season when they went 3-for-3 in the shootout to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 on Monday night at Nassau Coliseum.

"It's a relief," said Islanders coach Scott Gordon.

The 0-6-1 Maple Leafs are now the league's only winless team. Toronto's next game is Saturday in Vancouver. The Islanders (1-3-3) play Thursday in Montreal.

Jeff Tambellini, Frans Nielsen and John Tavares scored the three shootout goals for the Islanders against Hurricanes netminder Cam Ward. Dwayne Roloson allowed one to Jussi Jokinen but stopped Sergei Samsonov. Up 2-1 in the shootout, Tavares's goal sealed the second point for the Islanders.

"I wanted to make sure I sold the fake," said Tavares, "and got the puck up and under the crossbar."

The Islanders' first win of the season was not without drama. Leading 3-1 midway through the third period, the Islanders appeared to be riding all the momentum after killing a penalty to Andy Sutton, who looked for revenge after Carolina's Andrew Alberts hit Tavares with an unpenalized late hit. Instead the Islanders' penchant for blowing third period leads continued when Eric Staal scored at 14:01 and Jokinen followed up at 15:03 to tie the game.

"A perfect way to end the game would have been at 3-1," said Sutton. "But I thought we kept our composure and finished the game strong. We've worked hard since the start of the season and have had our share of bad luck. We'll take a win any way we can, and we'll enjoy it and see if we can string a few together."

The Islanders were led in regulation by their high-skilled youngsters like Tavares and Kyle Okposo, but also by gritty and clutch performances by several of their grinders and by Sutton. The 6-6 Sutton, encouraged by head coach Scott Gordon to skate and move the puck despite his reputation as a stay-at-homer, collected a goal and assist.

Sutton's assist came on a first period goal by Matt Moulson, who said the big defenseman "looked like Paul Coffey" on the play. The Islanders took a 3-1 lead on a pair of goals less than a minute apart in the to middle of the second period by fourth-line right wing Tim Jackman (off a nice feed from checking center Nate Thompson) and Sutton, who was fed by unheralded young defenseman Jack Hillen.

With play-making center Frans Nielsen off injured reserve and making his season debut, Gordon was able to roll four effective lines. Still, the Islanders were not able to hold the two-goal lead late in the third period.

"We didn't quit," said Gordon. "The bench was lively. It was more like, 'Let's go get this.' "

Perhaps they just wanted to put the puck on their franchise phenom's stick in the shootout with the game on the line.
"It's great to be part of my first win in the NHL, but it's really special for everybody," said Tavares. "Everyone has given all they have to the team and we've just come up short. Now that we finally have our first win, we have to get on a roll and get into the Eastern Conference picture."