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Danis, Islanders stop Coyotes

Mar 8, 2009 - 11:29 PM UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) -- Yann Danis made 40 saves Sunday to lift the New York Islanders to their fourth win in their last five games with a 3-2 triumph over the Phoenix Coyotes.

Jeff Tambellini and rookies Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo netted second-period goals for New York and Danis held off Phoenix in the third, stopping 16 of 17 shots.

"We came out a bit slow at first, but we didn't panic," Danis said. "We played really well in the second, scored some goals, and then held on (until) the end."

Scottie Upshall and captain Shane Doan tallied for the Coyotes, who have scored two goals or less in six straight games.

After Upshall staked Phoenix to a 1-0 lead late in the first period, the Islanders rallied with three goals in the middle session.

"We're all fighting for a spot this year and next year and there are a lot of guys with something to prove," Danis said. "So we can't take a day off. That's one of the things that's helped us. It may seem we have nothing to lose, but some of us do."

Tambellini tied the game 2:44 into the session and Bailey put New York ahead for good with 10:42 remaining. Okposo added an insurance tally, his 14th goal of the season, with 37 ticks to go in the period.

"They're just real committed to each other and committed to our system and have great work ethic and great attitude," New York coach Scott Gordon said. "It's slowly coming together."

Phoenix appeared to pull within 3-2 with just over five minutes left in regulation, but video replay showed the net was knocked of its moorings before Matthew Lombardi's attempt crossed the goalline.

The Coyotes had plenty of chances but went 0-of-7 on the power play, including coming up empty on a pair of two-man advantages and a double-minor.

"That's (power play) been our Achilles tendon," Phoenix coach Wayne Gretzky said. "We had too many opportunities to capitalize and get something running and we shoot ourselves in the foot. We were playing well up 1-0 and get a 5-on-3 and we don't capitalize on that."

Doan cut the deficit in half with 19 seconds left in the third, but the Coyotes were unable to get the equalizer en route to losing for the fifth time in the last six games.

Josh Tordjman made 23 saves in his NHL debut.

"It's very disappointing to not come out with the two points, but it feels good to get my first game in," Tordjman said. "I was pretty nervous in the first period, but my movement was better in the second, but things didn't go as well. You have to play 60 minutes and I don't think my performance was 60 minutes today."