Points in Six of Seven: Saturday’s 2-1 overtime win over the Los Angeles Kings put the Islanders back on track in their quest to make the playoffs. Before losing 4-2 against Montreal on Thursday night the Isles had points in five straight games. In what was a crucial game against LA, the Islanders responded and are now 4-1-2 in their last seven.

Looking for Sunshine: The Islanders haven’t had a lot of success against teams from the Sunshine State this season. Currently 1-3 against Tampa Bay and Florida, the Islanders need to find ways to beat the Florida clubs, especially considering how close these teams are in the standings. The Panthers are fighting for the division lead, but also for the eighth playoff spot, while the Islanders and Lightning are both trying to make a late push for the playoffs.

Depleted D: With recent injuries to Travis Hamonic, Milan Jurcina (who has since returned) and Dylan Reese, the rest of the Isles D-corp has had to step up their game. Captain Mark Streit and shutdown specialist Andrew MacDonald have seen their roles and ice-time increase. A-Mac played a season high 29:19 against Philadelphia on Tuesday night and the team is 12-6-4 when he leads the team in ice time. Streit has goals in two straight and has played more than 25 minutes in three of his last four.

Tim Kennedy broke open a deadlock at 2 in the third period as the Florida Panthers beat the New York Islanders 4-2 on Oct. 22, 2011. Kennedy scored the game-winner at 4:00 of the third period before Shawn Matthias added an empty-netter for insurance. Matt Bradley and Kris Versteeg also scored for the Panthers while Mark Streit and John Tavares found twine for the Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov made 29 saves in his first loss as an Islander while Jacob Markstrom picked up the W for the Panthers.

Mark Streit on his recent play: “I thought that I’m coming around, that I’ve played better. It took me a while to adjust, I was away for a year and a half. The first forty games was kind of a bumpy ride. I had some really good games and then some tougher games. Just not the consistency I was looking for. Lately it’s been way better and I feel more comfortable. I make good plays and join the rush. It’s starting to come back together again.”