Panthers 4, Islanders 1
Tomas Fleischmann and Kris Versteeg collected a goal and an assist apiece and Jose Theodore returned from a knee injury to turn aside 26 shots as the Florida Panthers skated to a 4-1 road triumph over the New York Islanders on Sunday.
Jack Skille scored in his return from a shoulder injury and defenseman Tyson Strachan netted his first career NHL goal for Florida, which posted its second straight road win after dropping 10 of its previous 11 matches away from home.
Winners of five of their last seven, the Panthers now hold a four-point lead in the Southeast Division over Washington. The Capitals lost a 3-2 decision to the New York Rangers earlier on Sunday.
With the game tied at 1-1, Fleischman recorded his 200th career point 4:17 into the second period by deflecting Versteeg's backdoor feed past Evgeni Nabokov for his 18th goal of the season.
Versteeg then doubled the advantage nearly 7 1/2 minutes later after wiring a shot from the slot which sailed just inside the post for a power-play tally.
Frans Nielsen opened the scoring 3:35 into the first period for New York, which fell to 7-3-2 in its last 12 games.