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Zednik scores key goal as Panthers edge Islanders

Feb 6, 2009 - 5:13 AM SUNRISE, Florida (Ticker) -- The Florida Panthers pounced on another opportunity to prove they are a legitimate contender in the crowded Eastern Conference.

Richard Zednik scored a goal and set up another as the Panthers cooled off the New York Islanders by posting a 3-2 triumph on Thursday.

All-Star Jay Bouwmeester and fellow defenseman Karlis Skrastins also tallied while blue-liner Bryan McCabe notched two assists for the Panthers, who won for the fourth time in five contests.

"We have the mentality that we're going to win every night," Florida's David Booth said. "You have to go out there and play the full 60 minutes because there's going to be ups and downs in every game. It's how your respond that's important.

"We're managing to come through with goals when we need them. The guys have the right mind set, and it's producing both a good effort and good results right now."

The ninth overall pick in last June's draft, rookie Josh Bailey recorded a power-play goal and an assist while Trent Hunter also scored for the Islanders, whose four-game winning streak was halted.

"In the second and third periods, we got back to doing some positive things, and I think we can build on that for Saturday night (at Tampa Bay)," Bailey said.

The Panthers, who are looking to position themselves for their first postseason appearance in eight seasons, improved to 9-2-3 since January 1 thanks to a hot start in this contest.

Returning to the lineup after missing two games with flu-like symptoms, Booth set up Bouwmeester's goal at 5:41 of the first period.

"You can see the character developing on this team," Bouwmeester said. "It's something you have to have when you're in a situation like we are in right now, where every game is critical.

"All you want to be able to do is contribute and help the team in any way you can. I've had some success (offensively) there during this good stretch for us, and hopefully it will continue."

Skrastins doubled the lead with 3:07 left in the session, firing a slap shot from the slot past goaltender Joey MacDonald for his fourth tally of the season.

Bailey halved the deficit at 8:22 of the second, when he unleashed a hard slap shot from the left faceoff circle that sailed by netminder Tomas Vokoun.

"We had good movement on the puck, and I got a good shot off and was lucky to find the hole," Bailey said.

However, Zednik - a former Islander - provided a key goal with 7:21 remaining in the second, wristing the puck into the net while stationed on the doorstep to stake Florida to a 3-1 advantage.

"(Zednik's) a guy with a great work ethic who doesn't get nearly enough credit," Panthers coach Peter DeBoer said. "But he's been doing all the little things to help us get to where we are."

Hunter registered his 14th tally of the campaign 2:12 later, beating Vokoun with a wrister from the right circle for a power-play goal.

Vokoun, who started for the 11th time in 12 games, stopped 20 shots despite suffering from the flu.

"The points are so important at this time of year, and you can't let them slip away," Florida's Stephen Weiss said. "We're going in the right direction, and hopefully we can build on this."

Playing in place of Yann Danis for the first time in eight contests because of a groin injury, MacDonald made 26 saves.

"I thought (MacDonald) did OK," New York coach Scott Gordon said. "He was a little rusty. He had some difficulty with the rebounds, but I thought overall, he did a good job for us out there.

"We made it a lot easier for them to transition because of our turnovers, but I thought over the last 40 minutes, we were pretty solid."