The New York Islanders (14-17-6) have now won three straight games, with the most recent victory coming in a 4-3 shootout over the Carolina Hurricanes (13-22-6) on Tuesday night.  New York used third period magic to extend their winning streak.

Matt Moulson (18) got the game going, cashing in on a power play opportunity at the 3:40 mark in the first period of play.  Carolina answered back when Anthony Stewart (6) found the back of the net on a tip-in at 4:11.

The Hurricanes took the 2-1 lead when Brandon Sutter (9) recorded a wrister at the 3:13 mark in the second. Brandon the son of former Islanders-star Brent earned the second star of the game with his two point effort.

Frans Nielsen (6) led the Islanders comeback surge, by scoring the second goal for New York at 4:50 in the third period. Carolina regained the lead on a Chad LaRose (10) goal, before Kyle Okposo (7) pushed the game into overtime with a goal at 18:30.

Neither team scored in OT, and needed the shootout to decide the victor. Isles started the extra session with P.A. Parenteau, who scored on a high glove shot, but was answered quickly with a Jussi Jokinen goal. Nielsen gave the Isles a 2-1 lead on his patented backhanded shot.

Carolina tried to respond by sending  Eric Staal to the ice,  the Carolina captain’s shot was turned away by cager Evgeni Nabokov (37 saves). Okposo and LaRose were both turned away, with the Isles earning the two points thanks to the 2-1 edge in the frame.

With the victory Nabokov continues his milestone climb, as the cager now has 298 victories in his career.  ‘Nabby’ and the rest of the Islanders will look to keep the winning streak going on Friday, as they head to Anaheim to take on the Ducks.

The game between the Isles and the Ducks is slated to air on the MSG Plus network, with face-off scheduled for 10:00 p.m.

Written on January 4, 2012