The only consolation for the Ottawa Senators - and it's small consolation, indeed - is that the Toronto Maple Leafs can't catch them in the standings when they meet Saturday at Scotiabank Place.

But the single point that the Senators picked up in Friday's 2-1 overtime loss left a hollow feeling.

The Senators dropped their fifth straight contest. They blew a third-period lead for the second straight game. And they weren't playing the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins this time.

They lost to the New York Islanders, who long ago gave up hopes of making the playoffs.

The insult to injury is that the game-winning goal came from defensive defenceman Mark Eaton, who scored his first goal of the season at the 2: 35 mark of overtime. It was Eaton's 600th career game.

In addition to the loss, other questions remaining, including the extent of the nagging injury which is clearly slowing star centre Jason Spezza.

The worst part of the defeat is that the Senators were seemingly in control, leading 1-0 to start the third period thanks to a Zack Smith shorthanded goal with 13 seconds left in the second period.

But the Islanders' Matt Martin tied the game 1-1 at the 5: 27 mark of the third period after an inexplicable play by Senators defenceman Jared Cowen.

PA Parenteau carried the puck over the Senators' blueline and Sergei Gonchar approached him in an attempt to take him out of the play. Cowen, however, skated across the ice, attempting to make a big hit on Parenteau. That decision left Martin wide open for a Parenteau pass.

Parenteau then beat Anderson low to the stick side, ending Anderson's bid for his second shutout of the season.

Smith's short-handed goal, which broke the goal-less deadlock, came on an innocent-looking rush.

It also marked the first time in nine games that the Senators had opened the scoring in a game - dating all the way back to a 3-0 shutout of the New York Rangers on Jan. 12.

Smith led a 2-on 2-rush - Erik Condra was on the far side - and the Islanders' defence appeared to play it well.

Smith was forced wide by Mark Streit and his shot came outside of the faceoff circle. Streit may have deflected the shot as it came off Smith's stick. Evgeni Nabokov caught a piece of the puck, but it bounced up high and into the net.

Up to that point, there wasn't much to choose between the teams.

The Senators did, however, pick up the pace in the second period, following a shaky opening 20 minutes, where Anderson was the main reason why the game remained scoreless.

The Senators once again started slowly. Very slowly. The Islanders outshot the Senators 14-8 in the opening period and the Senators also caught a break in when Kyle Okposo rifled a shot off the crossbar behind Anderson.

Anderson, who allowed the game-winning goal from centre ice in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Boston Bruins, rebounded in fine form. He made several outstanding pad stops to keep the game goal-less.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Nabokov was barely tested in the first period.

The Senators, who received no power plays in the loss to the Bruins, didn't receive a power play until the 7: 25 mark of the second period.

GAME FILE

ISLANDERS 2, SENATORS 1 (OT)

WHY THEY LOST

The Senators blew another third-period lead and left Mark Eaton all alone at the side of the net in overtime.

STUD

Mark Eaton, Islanders

There haven't been many offensive highlights for the defensive defenceman during his career, but this was a rare time for him to shine.

Dud

Jared Cowen, Senators He has been rock solid all season long, but what was he possibly thinking leading up to the Matt Martin goal?

POWER PLAY-LESS STRING ENDS

The Senators' stretch of playing time without a powerplay opportunity ended at 106: 58 when the Islanders' Kyle Okposo received a highsticking penalty (on Zack Smith) at the 7: 25 mark of the second period.