• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Nielsen, Halak lead way as Islanders edge Coyotes

Nov 9, 2014 - 6:30 AM Glendale, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - Frans Nielsen's goal with 2:31 left in regulation lifted the New York Islanders to a 1-0 victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday.

Jaroslav Halak made 19 saves for his first shutout of the season. Mikhail Grabovski and Thomas Hickey each registered an assist for the Islanders, who have won three straight games and finished a five-game road trip at 3-2-0.

"It was a tough swing for us," Islanders center Brock Nelson said. "But getting the last three was definitely a momentum builder."

Mike Smith stopped 31-of-32 shots for Arizona, which entered the game with a three straight wins.

Smith turned aside 11 shots in the first period and eight in the second, but the Islanders finally lit the lamp late in the third.

Grabovski skated around the net to the left circle and backhanded a pass to the slot, where Nielsen beat Smith's glove with quick wrister for the game's sole offense.

Brian Strait went off for tripping with 1:37 seconds to play, but the Coyotes were unable to supply any offense skating 6-on-4 as Keith Yandle and Shane Doan each fired shots wide of the net.

"We have to find a balance," Doan said. "We have to generate more offense."

Game Notes

Halak registered his 31st career shutout and recorded a whitewash with his fourth NHL team (Montreal, St. Louis, Washington, Islanders) ... Arizona finished 0-for-5 on the power play, while New York was unsuccessful in three instances ... Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett tied Bob Francis for the most games coached in franchise history with 390 ... Arizona defenseman Zbynek Michalek played in his 500th NHL game.