• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Stempniak, Blues spoil Smyth's debut

Mar 2, 2007 - 4:52 AM UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) -- The St. Louis Blues had no problem crashing the New York Islanders' welcoming party for Ryan Smyth.

Lee Stempniak capped a furious rally with a power-play goal 25 seconds into overtime as the Blues won for the sixth time in seven games with an improbable 3-2 victory over the Islanders.

The game marked the Islanders' debut of Smyth, the star left wing acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in a blockbuster trade on Tuesday. Smyth assisted on the first New York goal.

With Smyth in the fold, the Islanders appeared to be cruising to victory before Jay McClement and Petr Cajanek scored in a 38-second span late in the third period to erase a 2-0 deficit.

"We took our foot off the gas and they came after us," said New York's Jason Blake, who played on a line with Smyth and Randy Robitaille.

Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro was called for a holding-the-stick penalty at the 19:39 mark in the third period, giving the Blues a 4-on-3 advantage to start overtime. Stempniak quickly exploited the advantage by converting a pass from Eric Brewer for his 20th goal of the season. "Eric did a good job of freezing the goal and sent the puck across to me," Stempniak said. "DiPietro had to much room to cover to get back."

McClement cut the deficit to 2-1 with a goal off a scramble in front and the Blues tied it when Cajanek tipped in a shot from the right circle by Doug Weight.

Jeff Woywitka assisted on both third-period goals.

"I thought we controlled most of the game and never let up," said center Brad Boyes, who was making his Blues debut after being acquired from the Boston Bruins. "It was nice to spoil their party."

It had been a night of celebration for the Islanders, who acquired Smith for two prospects and a first-round pick in an effort to make a playoff push. The 31-year-old Smyth, who helped lead the eighth-seeded Oilers to the Stanley Cup Finals last spring, was welcomed to Long Island with welcome arms. He received a warm ovation from the crowd of 12,262 before the game and national anthem singer Jill Shackner even wore a jersey with Smyth's No. 94.

"I was nervous and excited in the same breath," Smyth said. "At the start, I got confused waiting for the Canadian national anthem."

Smyth made a quick impact, feeding a centering pass to Mike Sillinger for a power-play at 10:16 of the first period.

"Not only can he score, he's a great passer," Sillinger said of Smyth.

Smyth had a hand in the second Islander goal even though he was not credited with an assist. The goalpost was slightly ajar and Smyth moved it back into place without the officials taking notice. Marc-Andre Bergeron, another recent addition, then scored on a shot from the left circle that deflected past goalie Curtis Sanford 40 seconds into the period.

"Blake said he ran into it while he tried to stuff the puck in," Smyth said. "I just tried to put it back in place."

The lead did not hold up thanks to a shaky finish by DiPietro, who left Nassau Coliseum without speaking to reporters.

Weight added two assists and Sanford had 25 saves for the Blues, including two key saves on Richard Zednik in the third period.

"It was a special night for them. It was great to win under these circumstances," said Blues coach Andy Murray. The Islanders had a four-game winning streak stopped.