Danis makes 39 saves in Islanders win
Last Updated: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 | 10:21 PM ET
The Associated Press
Kurtis McLean (54) of the New York Islanders celebrates after scoring his first NHL goal against the Anaheim Ducks. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)Yann Danis made 39 saves, and Kyle Okposo and Kurtis McLean scored goals to help the New York Islanders snap an eight-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over the visiting Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night.
Danis earned his first win of the season, and New York won for the first time in 2009 after a 0-7-1 start despite being outshot 40-14.
Bobby Ryan scored for Anaheim. Jean-Sebastien Giguere started in net and stopped five shots, and was relieved by Jonas Hiller, who made seven more saves.
For the first time in four games, the Islanders scored first. It took just 2:38 into the game while on their first power play for Okposo to whistle a slapshot from the top of the left circle into the short side.
The Islanders made it 2-0 at 14:35 when McLean, in just his second NHL game, scored his first career goal, ripping a slapshot from the top of the right circle that beat Giguere between his pads.
At that point, a very upset Giguere was replaced by Hiller.
Anaheim dominated play in the second period, and got one back at 16:45 when Ryan tipped a puck past Danis on a power play.
That gave Ryan goals in three straight games, and points in four. Ryan is tied for second in the NHL in rookie points with 15 goals and 15 assists.
The Islanders held on in the final period, despite being out shot 9-1.
