The Upshot: The NY Islanders find a way to win in penalty filled matchup with Senators

HOW IT HAPPENED

It wasn't a pretty game by any means. In fact, it was about as ugly as it gets. In a game that saw 13 minor penalties called, the NY Islanders managed to pull out a 3-2 victory to break their three-game losing skid. After going up two goals in a dominant first period, the Ottawa Senators turned the tables in the second stanza, nodding the game at two. Noah Dobson broke the deadlock, scoring his second goal of the season in the third, as the Isles held on. Ilya Sorokin was sensational once again, making 45 saves.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Despite going a man down eight times, the Isles only allowed one goal on the power play, keeping them in the game after shooting themselves in the foot.

The Isles had one of their best periods of the young season in the first, putting 17 shots on goal, including a power play goal from Bo Horvat 2:41 into the game.

Starting the third short-handed, Ilya Sorokin came up with a couple of massive saves one minute into the third period, keeping the game level before Dobson's winner. Now, with seven points, Dobson leads all Islanders six games into the season.

WHAT WENT WRONG

The Isles couldn't stay out of the penalty box all night. Whether at even strength or on a power play of their own, mental lapses saw the Isles making trip after trip to the sin bin. After a Ridley Greig penalty putting the Isles on the man advantage with a minute remaining in the second, Kyle Palmieri took a high sticking penalty, ending the power play after just six seconds. It was the third time this season the Isles have taken a penalty of their own to negate a power play.

Senators defenseman Erik Brannstrom suffered a scary head injury after a hit along the boards from Cal Clutterbuck in the second period. Brannstrom lay motionless on the ice before being taken out on a stretcher. An update provided by the Senators reported that Brannstrom had movement in his extremities and was being further evaluated at the hospital.

STATS OF THE GAME

Noah Dobson has been forced into a penalty-killing role in the absence of Scott Mayfield, resulting in inflated ice time. Setting a career-high, Dobson played 27:42 in a game where he was named the first star.

"He's playing some high minutes, there's no question," said Islanders Head Coach Lane Lambert. "And a little bit of it's situational, but he's doing a really good job."

SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENT OF THE GAME

Travis Hamonic appeared in the 800th game of his career tonight, playing against the team he spent 461 games with.

"It's neat to do it back here in New York," said Hamonic pre-game. "A place that has a ton of sentimental value for me, it gave me my opportunity. To say I've played 800 games in the best league in the world it's something I'm very blessed to do."

WHAT'S NEXT

The Islanders are at it again for their second road game of the season on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, scheduled for 7:00 PM EDT.