NHL Last Night: Isles Get Offense From Strange Places

Emergency call-up Jesse Joensuu scored his first NHL goal in his first game as the New York Islanders beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 Monday.

The Islanders got offense from another unexpected source as defenseman Bruno Gervais scored for the first time in 161 games — dating to April 18, 2006.

Dean McAmmond, playing his fifth game with the Islanders since being acquired from Ottawa, scored his second goal since his arrival and wore an 'A' on his jersey in the absence of captain Bill Guerin and suspended alternate Brendan Witt. Jeff Tambellini snapped a 14-game goal drought, and Jon Sim had three assists in the only game on day's NHL schedule.

The Avalanche got two goals from Ryan Smyth, a one-time Islanders player who spurned their attempts to re-sign him in the summer of 2007. Colorado (28-35-1) is last in the West.

Joensuu, brought up from Bridgeport of the American Hockey League on Monday because Guerin is still in trade limbo, smacked in a loose puck from in front during New York's two-goal second period that sent Colorado to its fifth straight loss.

The Avalanche started their six-game road trip with a win at Washington, but dropped the final five. They were outscored 14-3 in consecutive losses to New Jersey and New York's Rangers and Islanders.

Yann Danis made 19 saves, outdueling Colorado's Andrew Raycroft, who stopped 27 shots.
   

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