NEW YORK — Scott Mayfield scored in the third period, Thomas Greiss stopped 37 shots and the New York Islanders beat the Florida Panthers 2-1 Saturday for their 11th win in 12 games.
Mathew Barzal had a goal and an assist to help New York bounce back from a 4-3 overtime loss to Pittsburgh on Thursday night. The Islanders earned a point for the 12th straight game — a stretch that followed a 1-3-0 start and began with a 3-2 shootout win against the Panthers at Nassau Coliseum on Oct. 12.
Aleksander Barkov scored for Florida, and Sergei Bobrovsky finished with 34 saves. The Panthers lost in regulation for just the second time in 13 games (6-2-5),
With Florida trailing 1-0, Barkov tied it with a power-play goal at 6:12 of the third, beating Greiss from the right side for his fourth.
Mayfield regained the lead for New York just 38 seconds later with a shot from the right point that appeared to deflect in off Panthers defenceman Anton Stralman’s stick.
A tripping penalty on Anders Lee gave Florida its fourth power play of the game and Barkov appeared to tie it again with 5:25 left. But the goal was disallowed because officials ruled he hit the puck with a high stick. The call was confirmed by a video review.
Bobrovsky was pulled for an extra skater with 1:40 left, but the Panthers came up empty the rest of the way.
Leading 1-0 after 20 minutes, the Islanders pressed to add to their lead in the scoreless second period with both goalies making some nice stops.
New York outshot Florida 19-8 in the period, including 9-1 over the first 5:15 and 6-0 over the final 5 1/2 minutes. Greiss made a nice left pad stop on Mike Matheson in front 5 1/2 minutes in, and denied Evgenii Dadonov from nearly the same spot a minute later. Barkov was stopped on a pair of shots about 45 seconds apart, and Greiss had a spectacular save on Mike Hoffman’s shot from the right circle about seven minutes in.
Eberle, back after missing 10 games with an injury, went down on his knee to block a shot by Brett Connolly in front with 8:15 remaining in the middle period.
The Islanders had a goal disallowed during a power play early in the first because officials ruled Anders Lee interfered with Bobrovsky, and replays showed Lee had his skate in the crease when he made contact with the goalie.
Barzal then scored a goal that counted. He got a pass across the crease from Brock Nelson at the right side, paused to draw Bobrovsky to his side, and went to his left and put a backhander in for his team-leading seventh at 5:40.
The Panthers outshot the Islanders 14-7 in the first period, including an 8-1 margin over the final 6 1/2 minutes. New York defenceman Johnny Boychuk helped with a diving block on Barkov’s attempt from the right doorstep with Greiss out of position.
NOTES: Barkov’s goal gave Florida power-play score for the fifth straight game. … Barkov extended his goal-scoring streak to four games, with four goals and seven points in the stretch. … The Panthers lost a one-goal game in regulation for the first time this season, falling to 3-1-5 in such games. … The Islanders improved to 10-0-1 when leading after two periods. The lone loss was on Thursday night when they blew a 3-0 lead in the third against Pittsburgh. … Islanders F Casey Cizikas missed the third period due to a lower-body injury.
UP NEXT
Panthers: At the New York Rangers on Sunday.
Islanders: Host Toronto on Wednesday night.
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Vin A. Cherwoo, The Associated Press
