Shoutbox » Tim Leiweke last spring about becoming president of the

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- In a season filled with demoralizing losses, Tuesday nights meltdown against Tampa Bay was the worst yet for the New York Islanders. Valtteri Filppula scored twice in the final 3 minutes of regulation, including the tying goal with 3.8 seconds left, and then converted in the shootout to rally the Lightning past the skidding Islanders 3-2. "When youre coming back from two down and get that first one, you get immediate confidence," said Filppula, a key free-agent signing by Tampa Bay last summer. "Thats a good sign when you get a great bounce late and win a game when you didnt play your best all night." Nikita Kucherov also connected in the shootout as the Lightning handed New York its 13th loss in 14 games (1-9-4). The only Islanders victory during that stretch came in a shootout last Tuesday at San Jose. New York is 5-15-4 since trading popular left wing Matt Moulson to Buffalo for Thomas Vanek on Oct. 27. And by now, last springs playoff appearance is a distant memory. "Its unbelievable, its frustrating, its disappointing," said Islanders captain John Tavares, who angrily slammed his stick against the boards as he left the ice. "Were not happy with the result." Filppula scored his second third-period goal off a scramble with 3.8 seconds left to force overtime. He also scored at 17:07 to cut New Yorks lead to 2-1. He has 12 goals on the season. Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen scored for the Islanders. Nielsen also scored in the shootout, but the game ended when Tavares couldnt convert the final chance for New York against Ben Bishop. "I think you earn what you get," Tavares said. "We left two guys open right in the slot, and theyre going to capitalize when they get their chances." Okposo scored his 11th of the season, driving the puck from the left point through traffic and past Bishop 11 seconds into the second. Tavares and Brock Nelson assisted as Radko Gudas was serving an interference penalty that carried over from the first period. Nielsen made it 2-0 at 10:21 of the third, converting on a 2-on-1 break with Michael Grabner to beat Bishop to the stick side. It was the 11th goal of the season for Nielsen, who hadnt scored since Nov. 19. Filppula ruined Evgeni Nabokovs shutout bid late in the third and eventually spoiled the entire night for New York. The Islanders (9-19-7) lost their sixth straight home game -- the past four in overtime or a shootout -- and dropped to 0-16-5 when scoring fewer than three goals. They havent won at home since Nov. 16, when they defeated Detroit 5-4 in a shootout. Only Buffalo, with eight wins, has fewer than the Islanders. "We just dont know how to win right now," Nabokov said. Tampa Bay (20-11-3) snapped a seven-game road losing streak Sunday against Detroit and pulled out another one away from home. The Lightning have been a surprise in the Atlantic Division with an especially young roster this season. They have 13 players who have played fewer than 100 NHL games. But they are anchored by 38-year-old centre Martin St. Louis, who leads the team with 13 goals and 18 assists. He played his 1,000th NHL game earlier this season. The teams meet at Tampa Bay on Jan. 16 and March 27. The Islanders next take on the rival Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Friday. "Its important how we respond in our next game after a tough loss like this," Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. NOTES: The Islanders were without defenceman Lubomir Visnovsky (concussion) for the 27th straight game. New York also was missing forward Casey Cizikas (jaw). ... Matt Carkner and Colin McDonald were healthy scratches for the Islanders. ... The Lightning were without defencemen Victor Hedman (lower body) and Keith Aulie (hand). Nike Air Max 1 Clearance . Moments after his Brooklyn Nets teammates ran out onto the court to congratulate him following their 100-98 overtime win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night, Johnson could only shake his head at scoring only 13 points on 6-of-19 shooting. Air Max 1 Sale Cheap . Vonn "reopened" the idea of competing in the season-opening World Cup event on Oct. 26-27 in Soelden, Austria after returning to the slopes last month in Portillo, Chile. http://www.cheapairmax1nz.com/ . - Jesse Shynkaruk scored a hat trick as the Moose Jaw Warriors snapped a seven-game losing streak with an 8-2 win over the Prince Albert Raiders in Western Hockey League action on Saturday. Nike Air Max 1 NZ . - In about six minutes, the Memphis Grizzlies had allowed their 23-point lead to be cut to seven. Nike Air Max 1 Discount . Catch the game on TSN starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. You can also listen to all the action live on TSN 1050 at 7pm et. The Knicks are two games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference race.TORONTO - Wayne Gretzky is at peace with never representing the Toronto Maple Leafs.The hockey legend was interviewed by George Stroumboulopoulos on Saturday night during the second intermission of Hockey Night in Canada. When asked if he would ever return to the NHL in an executive capacity, Gretzky admitted hed spoken with Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment president and CEO Tim Leiweke last spring about becoming president of the hockey team.I can finally admit that we chatted, said Gretzky. It just wasnt the right thing for them and for me. Tim Leiweke is a wonderful man and the organization is a good organization. And listen, I grew up a huge Toronto Maple Leafs fan. At one point I almost signed here in 1996, but you know, sometimes things just happen for a reason andd it just didnt work out.ddddddddddddGretzky added that fellow Hall of Famer Brendan Shanahan, who accepted the position of Maple Leafs president and alternate governor on April 11, was a strong choice for Toronto.Brendan Shanahan is a wonderful man and hes a good person and I think hes going to do a wonderful job, said Gretzky.Earlier in the conversation with Stroumboulopoulos, Gretzky mentioned that he still yearned to be directly involved with hockey.I got a little envious today, I saw the (New York) Rangers around the hotel and I thought, gosh, I wish I was going over to the arena at 3:30 to get ready to play a game, said Gretzky. But you know what? Life goes on. And listen, everything I have in my life is because of hockey and I couldnt be any happier. ' ' '