Islanders, Oilers Tied Up

Alex Selivanov is on a roll.

The 28-year-old Russian scored twice on Sunday as the Edmonton Oilers tied the New York Islanders 4-4. Selivanov, who has seven goals in the last three games, scored his 16th and 17th of the season and leads the NHL is goals.

"I don't care what kind of goals I score," Selivanov said when a reporter pointed out that a number of recent goals have been highlight-reel material.

He continues to credit his linemates, Doug Weight and Ryan Smyth, for his exceptional start.

The Oilers' wide-open style has been a positive for Selivanov, who had both goals in a seven-goal outburst by both teams in the second period.

"I'll just play like I'm playing," he said. "I've got lots of confidence."

Chad Kilger and Ryan Smyth also scored for the Oilers (6-8-6).

Brad Isbister scored twice for the Islanders (5-9-3). Kenny Jonsson and Mariusz Czerkawski added goals.

Selivanov opened the goal-filled second period when he scored a power-play goal at 3:24 on a shot from the faceoff circle, tying it at 1-1.

"It was an entertaining game," said Oilers coach Kevin Lowe. "It's nice to see Selly score again."

Kilger then put the Oilers ahead with his first goa of the season after Islanders center Claude Lapointe made a costly giveaway in front of Potvin. Selivanov's second goal came off a Weight pass at 10:16 of the period.

At 12:31, with the Islanders on a power play, Jonsson's point shot made it 3-2. The goal ended Edmonton's streak of killing 33 consecutive penalties.

A little more than two minutes later, Isbister added his second goal to tie the score at 3-3.

"My grandma warned me if I didn't score at least two, I wouldn't have any home-cooked meals," said Isbister, an Edmonton native.

"It was an exciting game for the fans," he said. "It's not really our style. We play a defensive style and try to win 2-1."

Smyth made it 4-3 when he deflected a point shot by Tom Poti on a power play at 15:11 of the second.

Czerkawski closed out the scoring in the period when he tied it 4-4 with a weak shot from the boards.

Lowe and Islanders' coach Butch Goring were pleased that the game was wide open. It was reminiscent of their playing days with the Oilers and Islanders in an outstanding rivalry in the early 1980s.

"It's good to see Butch is playing hockey the way we think the game should be played," Lowe said. "He had those guys skating."

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