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Suddenly hot Islanders aim for fifth straight win

Feb 5, 2009 - 11:52 AM NY Islanders (16-29-5) at Florida (24-18-8) 7:30 p.m. EST

SUNRISE, Florida (Ticker) -- After coming up winless in eight straight games to begin the New Year, the New York Islanders have finally found some spark.

The Islanders will be looking for their fifth straight win when they face the Florida Panthers on Thursday.

Sitting with the worst record in the NHL, New York capped its latest slide with some horrible offensive performances, totaling four goals in the last four games.

That offense has turned a corner of late, however, with the Islanders exploding for 13 goals over the last four games. Kyle Okposo has four goals and six points and Trent Hunter has a pair of scores.

New York has also benefited from the play of goaltender Yann Danis, who has been in net for all four wins and has allowed only seven goals.

The Panthers have been playing well also, winning three of four. They are coming off a rousing comeback win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in which they scored a pair of unanswered goals in the third period before Bryan McCabe banged home the winner in overtime.

Stephen Weiss collected a goal and two assists in the win and leads Florida with 35 points.

The teams have split two meetings this season.