Islanders win in OT as Carolina's winless streak hits 14
Kyle Okposo, who was questionable for the game because of swine flu, scored with 14.4 second left in overtime, and No. 1 draft choice John Tavares had the first two-goal game of his career to help the visiting New York Islanders beat Carolina 4-3 last night, extending the Hurricanes' winless streak to 14 games.
"I feel pretty good," said Okposo, who sat out Wednesday night's game with Washington. "It felt good to contribute again. It's tough watching."
Mark Streit added a goal, and Marty Biron made 26 saves in goal for New York. The Islanders blew a 3-0 first-period lead before winning in overtime. After a slow start, New York is 6-2-3 in its last 11 games.
Tuomo Ruutu, Ray Whitney and Tim Gleason scored for Carolina, which matched the franchise record for a winless streak. Carolina hasn't won a game since Oct. 9. It was the third straight game New York scored three goals in the first period, something the Islanders had not done since 1980.
In other games:
* At Washington, Brian Pothier scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Capitals won their fourth in a row without Alex Ovechkin, beating the Minnesota Wild 3-1.
The NHL's highest scoring team was nearly thwarted by backup goalie Josh Harding who stopped 38 of 40 Capitals shots. Mike Green and Brooks Laich also scored for the Caps, while Cal Clutterbuck scored for the Wild.
Former Flyer Mike Knuble suffered has a broken finger while on a power play during the first period, and will be sidelined 3-4 weeks.
* At Atlanta, Ilya Kovalchuk and Maxim Afinogenov each had two goals and two assists to help the Thrashers beat the Los Angeles Kings 7-0 for their third straight victory. Thrashers rookie Evander Kane, the fourth overall draft pick, also scored two goals and had an assist. Kovalchuk, who returned the night before in New York from a broken foot bone that sidelined him for 3 weeks, has seven points in the last two games.
* At Buffalo, Jason Pominville scored the only goal in the fourth round of a shootout to give the Sabres a 2-1 victory over the Calgary Flames..
* At Columbus, Rick Nash scored the winning shootout goal and also had a goal in regulation, and goalie Mathieu Garon stopped both Anaheim shooters to give the Blue Jackets a 3-2 victory over the Ducks.
* At Chicago, first-period goals by Patrick Kane and John Madden led the Blackwawks to a 3-2 triumph over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
