Moulson scores deciding shootout goal and Roloson makes 33 saves as Islanders top Panthers 2-1

Roloson, Moulson lead Islanders past Panthers 2-1

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Matt Moulson scored the decisive goal in a shootout and the New York Islanders beat the Florida Panthers 2-1 on Thursday night for their sixth straight victory at Nassau Coliseum.

Rob Schremp also beat Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun in the shootout, while Dwayne Roloson turned away both Florida attempts.

Nathan Horton, who was hit by a puck and had to crawl to the bench late in the third period, scored for the Panthers in the second period. Blake Comeau scored for the Islanders in the second period.

The Islanders (23-20-8) have won seven of their last nine and are 10-3-1 over their last 14. The Panthers (21-22-8) dropped their second game in two nights.

Florida had won the first two games in the season series, handing the Islanders one of their worst losses of the season the last time they met, a 7-1 decision at Nassau Coliseum on Dec. 14. But this latest game was airtight, although both teams had their chances. Vokoun made 35 saves through overtime. Roloson made 33.

After Comeau was called for a slash with 3:24 left in the extra session. But the Islanders managed to kill off the 4-on-3 situation.

Cory Stillman nearly gave the Panthers the 2-1 lead near the midpoint of the third period, but his deflected drive from the right point on a power play hit the left post.

Horton finally scored the first goal of the game 7:13 into the second period. The Panthers’ leading point producer sent the puck ahead to Stephen Weiss, who stickhandled toward the top of the right circle and then led Horton perfectly cutting toward the right doorstep. Horton buried the shot past Roloson, his fifth in the three games against the Islanders.

But Comeau tied it for the Islanders with 8:21 left in the period, circling with the puck above the left circle and slapping a rocket past the glove of Vokoun. There were no penalties called in the first two periods.

Florida only scored one goal in a shutout victory over Atlanta on Monday, then got shut out 2- 0 by the Devils on Wednesday night. Panthers coach Peter DeBoer said before the Islanders game that his team’s competitive level wasn’t good enough the night before.

Then the Panthers came out and blocked 13 shots and put 14 on goal in the first period. But Roloson stopped all of them. Vokoun stopped all six New York shots that got through in the period. Vokoun has allowed just six goals in the last five games and only 16 in the Panthers’ first 10 games of the month. This marked his 11th consecutive start.

NOTES: Islanders defenseman Andy Sutton began his two-game suspension for his hit on Pittsburgh’s Pascal Dupuis Tuesday night. Defenseman Dustin Kohn, an American Hockey League All-Star, was recalled on loan from Bridgeport and assisted on Comeau’s goal. Forward Nate Thompson was put on waivers to create a roster spot, and he was claimed by Tampa Bay. … The Panthers welcomed back defenseman Dmitry Kulikov to the lineup. The 19-year-old rookie sat out 14 games due to a knee injury. “I think we missed his presence back there, his puck moving, his mobility, how confident he is with the puck,” DeBoer said. … With Florida playing for the second straight night, DeBoer rested defenseman Bryan Allen, who is coming off knee surgery.

(This version CORRECTS Islanders 2, Panthers 1. SO. corrects score in extended headline.)