Uniondale, NY (Sports Network) - Matt Moulson scored what eventually was the decisive goal to cap a three-goal outburst in the first period, and the New York Islanders held on for a much-needed 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks at Nassau Coliseum. P.A. Parenteau and Blake Comeau also tallied for the Islanders, who recorded just their second win in 22 games and broke a six-game December losing streak.
Rick DiPietro was solid between the pipes with 30 saves, including 12 in the final period to hold on for the win. Joffrey Lupul and Jason Blake both tallied a goal and an assist for Anaheim, which had a three-game win streak snapped. Curtis McElhinney stopped just 9- of-12 shots during the first period before he was pulled and replaced by Jonas Hiller, who turned away all 17 shots he faced.
The Islanders three-goal rally spanned 99 seconds during the opening period. The first came at the 15:06 mark when John Tavares worked the puck from behind the net and centered it to Parenteau, who knocked it home on the power play. Just 28 seconds later, the Islanders scored on a similar play but it was Rob Schremp centering it from the back boards to Comeau, who rifled it past McElhinney from the high slot.
Good things came in threes for the Islanders as they found the back of the net after Moulson stole the puck at the left circle. He carried the puck into the slot and finished with a backhand to take a 3-0 edge. McElhinney was pulled after the goal and Hiller replaced him -- Hiller never saw a shot the remainder of the opening period. The Ducks got on the board during the final seconds of a power play in the second period. Saku Koivu controlled the puck on the right side of the net and made a pass across the crease to Lupul, who jammed it past DiPietro.
The lead was cut to one only a minute and a half into the final period on Blake's tally. But the Ducks could not finish the comeback despite outshooting the Islanders 13-7 in the final frame. Anaheim even had a power play during the final five minutes of play and had a sixth attacker during the last minute, but failed to convert. The Ducks are 6-7-3 as the visiting team this season...Ducks winger Teemu Selanne has missed the last four games because of a groin injury...The Ducks had taken three of four against the Islanders coming into the game.
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