If the Islanders aren’t careful, they might play themselves out of a chance for the first pick in the draft and miss out on the John Tavares sweepstakes.
They won their third straight last night, the second time this season they’ve accomplished that feat, with a 3-1 victory over the Panthers at the Nassau Coliseum.
One of the biggest parts of their recent success has been the play of Kyle Okposo, who tallied his fifth goal in four games when he scored on the power play 11:02 into the third to give the Isles a 3-0 lead.
The play of Okposo’s line – he lately has been teamed with fellow newcomers Josh Bailey and Blake Comeau – has been one of the few bright spots of this season. After scoring just two goals in his first 21 games this year, Okposo has eight in his last 15.
“I’m getting a feel for my linemates,” Okposo said. “We’re working really well together.”
That’s something that hasn’t been said often of this team this season. But now the Isles are putting their best run of the year.
They also got a pair of goals from their veteran line, with Mike Comrie scoring in the first after a Doug Weight shot and Bill Guerin scoring in the second off a rebound of a shot by Comrie.
Florida pulled goalie Tomas Vokoun with five minutes left in the game and the Islanders ahead, 3-0, but the Isles held on.
“We’re just on a good stretch,” Okposo said. “There’s no rhyme or reason to it.”
Well, there is some. The defense is healthier than it has been in a while and survived a pair of four-minute minors without allowing a goal. Plus, Yann Danis has played well in goal. He stopped 27 of 28 shots by the Panthers and came within 1:27 of getting the team’s first shutout since Rick DiPietro blanked Tampa Bay last February.
“I don’t really care,” Danis said of the shutout. “I just want the win. Right now, that’s all we need.”
Not if they want the top pick, it’s not.
Isles 3 Panthers 1