It Happened at the Coliseum … on MARCH 8th

4 years ago tonight (2011) - Blake Comeau deflected home a Radek Martinek shot with 58 seconds remaining in overtime as the Islanders extended their point streak to five straight games (3-0-2) as they defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3.

Michael Grabner's 27th goal broke a 2-2 tie at 8:40 of the third.   It was Grabner's 20th point since the All-Star Break, which was the most in the Eastern Conference in that time span.  Nikolai Kulemin tied the game 68 seconds later, sending the game to overtime.

With the win, the Isles improved to 11-5-3 in their last 19 games.

Matt Martin had 14 hits; he also was awarded a penalty shot in the second period after being tugged at during a breakaway attempt but was stopped by Toronto goalie James Riemer.

Jack Capuano evened his coaching record at 22-22-7 with the win.  In what has become a familiar refrain over the past four years. Cappy stressed the Islanders’ battle level. "You have to keep battling and that's the resiliency of our team right now.  "Night in and night out, we're showing (resiliency). I thought that we were pretty good on the bench tonight and when we got down, we still believed in one another. We believed that we were going to get that next one." 

Here are the highlights:

Also on this date: (1984) – Patrick Flatley and Pat LaFontaine combined for three second period goals and the Isles scored four times in the second period and four times in the third period as they defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 9-5.

All-time, the Isles have played eleven March 8th games at the Coliseum and finish with a 5-6-0 record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.