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Islanders Win In Overtime, 2-1

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - John Tavares' power play goal with 1:34 left in overtime lifted the New York Islanders to a 2-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre.

With Brett Lebda in the box serving an interference penalty, the Islanders quickly went to work in the offensive zone and tallied the game-winner. P.A. Parenteau got the puck back to the middle point to James Wisniewski, who passed to Tavares for a one-timer that beat Jean-Sebastien Giguere on the blocker side.

"They're a good skating hockey team like we are," Tavares said. "They had some good chances, but we did what we had to do."

Matt Moulson scored in regulation for the Islanders, who were coming off a 5-2 win over Colorado on Saturday. Tavares also added an assist. Dwayne Roloson was stellar between the pipes, stopping 29-of-30 shots.

Phil Kessel tied the contest with 2:05 left in regulation for Toronto, which came in with a perfect 4-0-0 record. Giguere finished with 18 saves.

"We have a big point," Giguere said. "Their goalie played really well for them, so I think we got to stick with the positive and the positive is we were able to get a big point and we're going to keep going forward."

Trailing by a goal after two periods, Toronto came up empty on a power-play chance near the midway point of the third. Then nearly a minute later, Colby Armstrong's stuffer attempt from behind the net went across the goal crease and off the post. A replay showed the puck never crossed the line and the Islanders continued to cling to the 1-0 lead.

However, the Leafs were able to get the equalizer off a broken play with 2:05 left while skating with the man advantage. Following some good Toronto pressure, Dion Phaneuf fanned on a slap shot from the point, but Kessel fired the rebound past Roloson from the left circle. There was no further scoring and the game went to overtime.

After a scoreless opening period, Moulson opened the scoring 2:17 into the second when he took a pass from Tavares in the low slot and beat Giguere with a backhander high to the glove side.

Kris Versteeg appeared to even the game late in the middle stanza, but the goal was disallowed when it was ruled he hit the puck with a high stick before putting it home and New York maintained a 1-0 edge heading into the second intermission.

Islanders forward Trent Hunter missed the contest with a lower body injury, while center Josh Bailey left after the second period with a hip flexor and did not return...The Islanders beat Toronto three times in four meetings last season and have taken seven of the last 12 encounters overall.