Tavares' goal gives Islanders overtime win

Josh Bailey returned to the Islanders after a monthlong stint in the AHL. The team he came back to last night hasn't exactly set the world on fire since he was sent down, but the Islanders looked and played like a more complete team with Bailey back.

After getting off to a slow start with penalties and sluggish play, the Islanders were the more forceful team against the high-powered Lightning, creating more scoring chances off the rush and making more sound plays in their own zone against the likes of Marty St. Louis, Vinny Lecavalier and Steven Stamkos.

And they were rewarded.

John Tavares swept in a rebound of James Wisniewski's shot with 1:37 left in overtime for a well-deserved 2-1 win for the Isles, who have points now in three straight games (2-0-1).

"That's a pretty good team we played, and we made some mistakes, but I like the way we competed and that's all you can ask for," coach Jack Capuano said.

Tavares capped an up-and-down night, but that's a contrast to the mostly down nights he and his team have had. He took consecutive penalties midway through the second - he high-sticked Tampa's Victor Hedman 13 seconds after coming out of the box - but it was Tavares who helped get the Islanders on the board.

He beat both Lightning defensemen to a dump-in and flicked a pass to P.A. Parenteau, whose sharp-angled shot beat Dan Ellis with 17 seconds left in the second to tie the game.

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"After P.A.'s goal, we started moving our feet and really picked it up," Tavares said. "There was good battle level by everybody."

Bailey played the right side with Frans Nielsen and Michael Grabner, and they were a fast, smart line, a good complement to the Tavares-Matt Moulson-Parenteau line. Bailey made a terrific solo move around Hedman and nearly tucked a one-handed backhand behind Ellis in the second; the move drew a power play and kudos from the coach.

"Josh was one of our best players tonight," Capuano said. "He had a couple turnovers, but he did a lot of good things. That's the Josh Bailey we need for the rest of the year."

"We've got some good speed, three guys that really want the puck, that aren't afraid of making plays," said Nielsen, who was in on three two-on-ones, including one with Grabner while the Islanders killed a third-period penalty. "I think this could be a good line for us."

The Lightning's big line helped produce its only goal, when Ryan Malone tried a pass on Tampa's first power play, had the puck bounce off Travis Hamonic's stick and right back to him for an easy goal.

The Islanders were dominant physically, led by Milan Jurcina, who had his best game this season.

And Tavares scored his first goal in 10 games, a reward for driving the net as he fought off Mike Lundin to bury the winner.

"The last three games have been something to build on," Tavares said. "We can't get apathetic, knowing the way the last month and a half went. We know how tough things can get."