Panthers top Isles 4-2 in likely Long Island finale

Unless a miracle happens and these two end up in the playoffs, the Panthers have played their final game at Nassau Coliseum.

They sure left the old barn in style.

Thanks to a pair of goals from Jimmy Hayes and a terrific spot start from Al Montoya, the Panthers got back on the winning track with a 4-2 victory over the Islanders on Tuesday night.

The win was Florida’s 20th in 44 games at the Coliseum.

The Islanders are packing up after spending all 43 years of their existence here, heading to the shiny new Barclays Center in Brooklyn next season.

“This is a terrific place to play hockey and seeing these stands filled every night makes it special,’’ said Montoya, who spent two seasons with the Islanders and was making his first start since Jan. 9.

“They have a real hometown advantage here. Long Island deserves better.’’

Few gave the Panthers much of a chance on Tuesday, not after it lost a track meet the night before against the Rangers and were playing for the third time in four nights.

Florida came in losers of two in a row and seven of eight but gave coach Gerard Gallant that complete game he had been begging for and, in turn, earned a victory it was desperate to get.

“It was a great game, both teams were fast-paced and our guys played for 60 minutes and that was the difference,’’ Gallant said.

“Al battled hard, played well and made some key saves out there. But this was a team effort and a team win. Everyone came to play.’’

The Islanders, who have now lost three in a row, jumped all over the Panthers with Anders Lee scoring 1:44 in.

But Florida had some scoring punch this night with Hayes redirecting a blistering slap shot from Nick Bjugstad to tie it.

Erik Gudbranson gave the Panthers their first lead with a rare driving goal that conjured up images of the great Bobby Orr. Gudbranson charged the net and cooly backhanded the puck past Jaroslav Halak.

“I had the opportunity, had the lane and took it,’’ Gudbranson said. “I got a lucky bounce going short side because I don’t think [Halak] gives that up too often.

“When have you seen me do that in the offensive zone? Never.’’

Although the Islanders tied it heading into the third, Florida got a second goal from Hayes on a power-play chance off another Bjugstad shot early in the third, and Brandon Pirri ended it with an empty-net goal with 23 seconds left.

BLAME GAME

Florida television analyst Denis Potvin is one of six Islanders whose number hangs from the Coliseum rafters.

On Tuesday, the Isles’ former captain had pointed words for local politicians who he says allowed his team to leave its long-time community.

“This could be my last time in this building, and I think it’s a totally unfair situation,’’ said Potvin, who helped lead the Islanders to four Stanley Cup championships from 1980-83.

“Nassau County has to be blamed 100 percent for this. So many ownerships here have tried to get something done, going back to Bill Torrey. We needed a helping hand to make this a modern building. It never happened. It’s tough to see this go.’’

“My friends and family here on Long Island are going to lose an NHL franchise. You don’t get those back. I’m more emotional today because the reality is here. I won’t be back.’’

This story was originally published February 3, 2015 at 11:12 PM with the headline "Panthers top Isles 4-2 in likely Long Island finale."