Panthers  7    Islanders  1

Florida Panthers (12-14-7) at New York Islanders (12-13-7), 7 p.m.

Sports Network | December 14, 2009

(Sports Network) - The New York Islanders will try to post consecutive victories for the first time in over a month when they welcome the struggling Florida Panthers for a battle at Nassau Coliseum.

New York posted a home victory over Boston on Saturday to end a three-game losing streak. However, the Islanders haven't strung together two wins since a season-high, four-game winning streak from October 28-November 2.

The Isles have won their last two home games and have a respectable 7-3-2 record at the Coliseum this year. New York ends a two-game homestand tonight, but will be on the road for just one game against the rival Rangers before returning to Long Island for four straight as the host.

Frans Nielsen's goal just 24 seconds into overtime sent the Islanders to Saturday's 3-2 win over the visiting Bruins. Blake Comeau corralled a loose puck in the defensive and skated up the left wing. He dished ahead into center ice for a streaking Nielsen, who broke in alone and slid a backhander under the crossbar for the winner.

Rob Schremp and Matt Moulson also tallied for the Islanders, while Dwayne Roloson was strong in the win, stopping 30 shots.

"Record-wise that's a top team in the league and they've been playing well the last 11 games," Islanders coach Scott Gordon said of the Bruins. "It's probably a little payback from us where we felt we deserved the two points."

Meanwhile, the Panthers come into tonight with just two wins in their last 12 games (2-5-5). Florida has recorded at least a point in two straight contests, posting a 4-2 win at New Jersey on Friday before dropping an overtime decision the following night in Pittsburgh.

Evgeni Malkin's power-play goal 37 seconds into overtime gave the Penguins a 3-2 victory and ended Florida's hopes of winning consecutive games for the first time since November 18-21.

Stephen Weiss and Steven Reinprecht scored for the Panthers. Tomas Vokoun allowed three goals on 40 shots in the hard-luck defeat for Florida, which has lost all three games to Pittsburgh this season past regulation.

"(Pittsburgh) plays a real offensive style, and we got to bring our 'A' game if we want to compete with them," Reinprecht said. "It's a good challenge, and we've fallen short three times, but we're right there."

Florida is 8-8-2 as the guest this year and is capping a four-game road trip tonight. The Panthers have lost five of their last six games on the road.

The Panthers recorded a 5-4 shootout win when they hosted the Islanders back on November 14. Florida has taken eight of the last 10 overall meetings in the series, but the Cats have dropped two straight and five of their last seven on Long Island.