Islanders Defeat Avalanche, 4-3, In Overtime On John Tavares Game Winning Goal

After dominating the third period of play without catching a break, the Colorado Avalanche finally got a minor miracle via the stick of Milan Hejduk. In the final minute of the third period, with the New York Islanders leading 3-2, Kevin Porter brought the puck into the zone and skated behind the net, a shot rebounded to Tomas Fleischmann who fired on rookie goaltender Kevin Poulin.

Poulin made the stop, but the puck bounced off two separate Islanders defensemen, ended up on the stick of Hejduk and he tossed the puck from an extreme angle off the goalie and into the net for the game-tying score with four seconds left on the clock, giving the Avalanche a much needed point.

It was a small victory, but Islanders star John Tavares made sure that New York won the war. At 3:52 into the overtime period, Tavares chased the puck into the Avalanche zone, fought his way into the crease, and dumped the puck high above goalie Craig Anderson for the game winning goal.

Colorado lost the game despite outshooting New York by a 37-27 margin. New York goalie Kevin Poulin earned his first NHL victory in his first ever game.

Second Intermission: Islanders Lead Avalanche On Three Power Play Goals

Another period, another power play goal for the New York Islanders. After scoring two power play goals in the first period to tie the game, the Islanders converted another opportunity into Peter Colliton’s second power play goal of the game, and the third for the Islanders. They now lead 3-2 at the second intermission despite the Colorado Avalanche outshooting New York 23-20 for the game and outplaying the young Islanders for much of the game.

This game is becoming reminiscent of last week’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, where Colorado dominated the Red Wings with 49 shots but fell in overtime due to four power play goals. Long a weakness of this Avalanche team, the penalty kill is becoming a serious issue that is giving away games that Colorado has dominated five on five.

There is one period left in this game that Colorado really needs to win. They have struggled offensively throughout this homestand, and it would be devastating to lose to a rookie goaltender making his first career NHL start.

First Intermission: Colorado And New York Islanders Tied At 2-2

The Colorado Avalanche were desperate for some offense and a quick start after Thursday’s shutout loss at the hands of the Phoenix Coyotes. They finally got the quick start they needed, scoring two goals in the first 1:47 of the game past New York Islanders rookie goaltender Kevin Poulin. Milan Hejduk grabbed a rebound and fired a quick wrist shot into the open net behind Poulin for the first score of the game. David Koci made the score 2-0 one minute later by deflecting a Brandon Yip slapshot into the net.

Unfortunately, the Avalanche penalty kill continues to be the team’s achilles heel, as they allowed the young Islanders team right back into the game with two power play goals midway through the first period. Rookie Jeremy Colliton scored a power play goal past Craig Anderson in his first NHL game of the season. Islanders forward Blake Comeau tied the game up at two, taking advantage of a hooking call on Avalanche defenseman Matt Hunwick.

Avalanche Vs. Islanders: Struggling Colorado Faces Off Against Suddenly Decent New York

(Sports Network) - The Colorado Avalanche will try to avoid a fourth straight loss to the New York Islanders when they welcome the Isles for this afternoon's interconference battle at the Pepsi Center.

The Islanders won their third meeting in a row in this series earlier this season when they slammed Colorado, 5-2, at Nassau Coliseum on Oct. 16. Milan Jurcina had a pair of goals in that game and Dwayne Roloson, who has since been traded to Tampa Bay, stopped 28 shots to record the win.

New York is 6-0-1 with a tie in the last eight meetings against the Avs overall, but Colorado is 3-1-0 with a tie in the last five encounters in Denver.

The Avalanche have lost three of their last four games and Joe Sacco's club is just 2-5-1 since a season-best six-game winning streak from Dec. 10-19.

Colorado's most recent defeat came Thursday night against the visiting Coyotes, who received a pair of goals from Taylor Pyatt and 34 saves from Jason LaBarbera in the 2-0 victory at the Pepsi Center.

Craig Anderson was strong with 31 saves in the losing effort, but Colorado was shut out for just the second time this season.

"We played a good game and we had close chances, but we just couldn't bury one," said Anderson.

The Avs have played the last five games without forward Cody McLeod, who has been sidelined with a groin injury. He is still considered day-to-day and is questionable for this afternoon's tilt.

Colorado, which will complete a five-game homestand Monday against Detroit, is 11-8-2 as the host this year, but has lost five of its last six in the Mile High City.

The Islanders were on a three-game winning streak before dropping a close regulation decision Thursday in Edmonton. The Oilers snapped a seven-game losing streak with the 2-1 victory at Rexall Place.

Blake Comeau netted the lone tally for the Islanders, who are 2-1-0 on a five- game road trip that is set to end tomorrow at Chicago.

Nathan Lawson was pulled after giving up both Oiler goals on just three shots in just over five minutes of action. Kevin Poulin spelled him for the remainder of the contest and registered 19 saves.

"You always want to be in there but if that's what it takes to spark the team, I'm a team guy," Lawson admitted. "I just try to stay on an even keel."

Lawson was making just his second career start and Poulin saw his first NHL action in the relief stint. With Rick DiPietro out with an injured groin, one of the two youngsters will get today's start. Poulin figures to have the inside track based solely on his superior performance in Thursday's game.