Uniondale, NY (Sports Network) - Matt Moulson scored twice and Al Montoya picked up his second career shutout with 35 saves, leading the New York Islanders to a 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. The Islanders had dropped six consecutive games against the Kings, and had not beaten them since February 15, 2003. Montoya, 26, was making his first start of the season and fifth of his career. His performance included a 17-save second period, which helped New York win for the fifth time in its last six games.
Frans Nielsen also lit the lamp in the victory. Jonathan Quick stopped 20 shots for the Kings, who have dropped two in a row. They fell to 5-1-3 on their 10-game road trip, which concludes Wednesday at Anaheim. Nielsen got the Islanders on the board with a shorthanded goal, only five minutes into the game. New York forward Michael Grabner picked off a slow pass in his own zone and got the puck into the neutral zone.
He then managed to pass to Nielsen, who skated into the slot and blasted a shot through LA defenseman Jack Johnson and Quick. Moulson's wrister from the right circle at the 6:54 mark of the second period gave the Islanders a 2-0 lead. Montoya's big middle-period performance made the lead stick, and Moulson essentially secured the win with 6:20 to play in the third, when he wheeled around in the slot and whipped a shot in net.
P.A. Parenteau and John Tavares both had two assists for New York...The teams were a combined 0-for-5 on the power play...LA failed to set a franchise record for points in consecutive games. The Kings were 8-0-3 over their last 11 outings, matching a points streak set from February 28-March 24, 1974.
For more information on tonight's game, be sure to read Jewels From The Crown.