The New York Islanders needed a win after dropping three straight games and John Tavares gave them exactly that in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Anaheim Ducks.
Tavares scored the first goal of the game at 3:38 of the first period and ended the night with an overtime power-play marker. He now has six goals and 14 points in just 12 contests in 2014-15.
It was also a big night for goaltender Jaroslav Halak, who turned aside 32 of 34 shots to end his personal four-game losing streak. He’s had some rough starts since coming to New York from Washington and this is just the second time he held the competition to less than three goals since the start of the season.
Tonight marked the end of Anaheim’s modest two-game winning streak, but the Ducks have to be pleased with the fact that they were even able to walk away with a point. They had third-string goaltender Jason LaBarbera playing between the pipes and were missing top forwards Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf due to the flu.
With that handicap, the Ducks limped out of the gate, firing just four shots in the first period and falling behind 2-0 early in the second frame. They battled back though as Matt Beleskey and Emerson Etem each scored before the second intermission to tie the game.
Anaheim just has to hope Perry and Getzlaf are feeling better before Friday’s game against Arizona.