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Streaking Islanders down Senators in SO

Feb 16, 2011 - 6:15 AM Ottawa, ON (Sports Network) - Frans Nielsen scored the game-winner in the second round of the shootout, as the New York Islanders snuck past the Ottawa Senators, 4-3, at Scotiabank Place.

Michael Grabner had a goal and an assist for the Islanders, who have won a season-high four in a row. Josh Bailey and Blake Comeau also lit the lamp.

Making his fifth career start, Nathan Lawson made 28 saves to record his first NHL victory. He came into the game with an 0-3 mark.

Bobby Butler had a goal and an assist for the Senators, who are 2-12-4 since the calendar flipped to 2011. Ryan Shannon and Erik Karlsson also scored in defeat.

"We lost out on the chance to get the extra point, but we showed a lot with coming back in the third," said Butler.

Brian Elliott turned aside 25-of-28 shots.

Trailing 2-1 early in the third, Grabner scored a short-handed goal at the 2:48 mark. Grabner stole the puck at center ice and went in on a breakaway. Elliott made the initial save but his momentum carried him out of the net. Grabner got the puck back behind the net and converted an easy wrap around to tie the game.

The Senators thought they scored just moments later, but the puck was tipped in with a high stick.

New York went ahead 3-2 at the 6:39 mark on Bailey's goal. Grabner gathered the disc behind the net and slid a backhand pass to the slot. Bailey was wide open and fired a snap shot past Elliott.

"We like our positive attitude," said Bailey. "Recently, we've been able to come back from third-period deficits, and that only makes us stronger and builds our confidence."

Karlsson's slapper from the top of the right circle with 4:04 remaining made it a 3-3 game.

Elliott made three saves in overtime, while Lawson stopped one shot.

After each team scored in the first round of the shootout, Ottawa's Jason Spezza was stopped by Lawson. Nielsen then put a shot through the legs of Elliott. Butler had a chance to keep the shootout going, but Lawson turned aside his shot.

Butler's power-play goal with 2:05 left in the first put the Senators on the board. A right faceoff draw led to a Spezza shot. Butler was right there to jam home the rebound.

New York tied things up at the 8:07 mark of the second. With an Ottawa player down on the ice due to injury, the Islanders set up in the Senators zone. Ty Wishart slid a cross-ice pass to Comeau, whose wrister found the back of the net.

Ottawa took the lead back on Shannon's slapper from the top of the slot at the 12:57 mark.

Game Notes

Ottawa and New York split four games this season. The Islanders had dropped four straight in Ottawa...Senators forward Erik Condra had an assist in his NHL debut...New York was without forwards Matt Martin and Trevor Gillies, who are serving suspensions for their roles in last Friday's game against Pittsburgh...The Islanders have scored a total of 24 goals during their winning streak.