Islanders 2 - 4 Panthers
Final
  for this game

Kennedy, Panthers top Islanders

Oct 23, 2011 - 5:01 AM Sunrise, FL (Sports Network) - Tim Kennedy scored the go-ahead goal four minutes into the third period, as the Florida Panthers took down the New York Islanders, 4-2.

Shawn Matthias had a goal and two assists for the Panthers, who were shutout in their previous two games, while Matt Bradley and Kris Versteeg also lit the lamp.

Jose Theodore stopped 8-of-10 shots over the first two periods for Florida and Jacob Markstrom made 18 saves in the third for his first career NHL win.

"I just wanted to go out there and help the team out as much as I could," Markstrom said. "As a backup goalie, that's your job -- to always be prepared if something happens."

Prior to Saturday's game, the Panthers sent left wing David Booth, center Steve Reinprecht and a third-round pick in 2013 to the Vancouver Canucks for veteran forwards Mikael Samuelsson and Marco Sturm.

Mark Streit and John Tavares both had a goal and an assist for the Islanders, who have lost two in a row.

Evgeni Nabokov made 29 saves in defeat.

"I think Nabokov played great for us," Islanders head coach Jack Capuano said. "He weathered the storm in the first period and gave us a chance to win."

With the score tied 2-2, Kennedy lit the lamp four minutes into the third to give Florida the lead. Matthias controlled the puck behind the net and slid a pass in front for Kennedy, who completed the play with a tip-in.

The Islanders had a great chance to tie the game late after Versteeg and Matthias were whistled for penalties. Versteeg was sent to the box at 16:13 for holding and Matthias followed at 17:30 for slashing, but Markstrom held strong between the pipes during New York's brief 5-on-3 power play.

Matthias' empty-net goal with 25 seconds to go made it 4-2.

The Islanders scored on the power play just 1:01 into the game when Streit's one-timer from the point got past Theodore.

Versteeg tied the game for Florida at the 14:39 mark. After Nabokov turned the puck over behind his own net, the Panthers fired a series of shots on net and Versteeg finally jammed home a rebound during a scramble in front.

Bradley's backhander gave the Panthers a 2-1 lead at the 13:39 mark of the middle stanza.

New York tied the game over a minute later when Streit's shot from the point was deflected in by Tavares.

Game Notes

Tomas Kopecky failed on a penalty shot in the first period...Florida beat New York 2-0 on October 8 to open the season...Matthias missed Thursday's game against Buffalo with the flu...Panthers forward Sean Bergenheim (lower body) missed the game...The Islanders were without defenseman Milan Jurcina (groin) and forward Brian Rolston (personal)...New York goaltender Rick DiPietro (concussion) has started his return to the ice by taking shots and skating in drills. He is expected to be back in the crease soon.






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