In New York Wednesday night, James Reimer made 20 saves to help the Florida Panthers get their first non-shootout win of the season, 3-2, over the Islanders.
Mike Hoffman scored the game-winner just 33 seconds into the extra session.
“It’s almost like a snowball effect,” Hoffman said. “You [have] to start somewhere, you have to have a building block and go from there. Hopefully this can get us on the right track.
“We’ve been playing some good hockey, [we] just haven’t been getting the results that we’ve wanted.”
Frank Vatrano and Evgenii Dadonov also scored for the Panthers as they improved to 2-3-3.
The Panthers rallied with both goals in the third period after trailing 2-0.
Brock Nelson and Jordan Eberle scored for the Isles.
“We haven’t been here that much to start the year,” Eberle said. “I think we play well here; obviously home games, you should have the advantage. But I thought for the most part I liked our game through two [periods]. I know we were getting outshot but we’re a much better team structurally in our D zone. I don’t mind spending time in there just based on the way that we’re playing in there.
“But a 2-0 lead in the third, you don’t want to sit back on your heels. You want to go at them and push. That’s how good teams win games.”
[WATCH:Â All Panthers vs. Islanders highlights]
Robin Lehner made 38 saves in the loss.
“We talk about just trying to find a way to come out with a little more energy, get on the attack,” Nelson said. “We just weren’t able to get that extra momentum, that extra push, I guess. It could have been the difference.”
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