UNIONDALE, N.Y., Nov. 17 (UPI) -- P.A. Parenteau touched off a four-goal New York second period Thursday and the Islanders hung on to nip Montreal 4-3.
New York broke a four-game losing streak and won for just the fifth time this season, the smallest victory total in the Eastern Conference.
Parenteau scored on a backhander 41 seconds into the middle period, after which Jay Pandolfo and Mark Streit tallied to give the Islanders a 3-0 lead.
Montreal cut its deficit to one late in the second, but Matt Moulson's slap shot beat Peter Budaj with 1:45 to go in the stanza to give the Islanders a two-goal cushion heading into the third.
Brian Gionta's power-play with 4:18 left in regulation again brought Montreal within one, but Budaj finished off the victory by making 29 saves.
Evgeni Nabokov began the game in goal for the Islanders, but left in the opening period with a groin injury after making two saves. Rick DiPietro came on to give up three goals on 27 shots.
