Islanders 4, Rangers 2
Red-hot John Tavares scored three goals and added an assist as the New York Islanders skated to a 4-2 victory over the visiting New York Rangers on Saturday.
Tavares' second goal – and fourth of five in the last two games – at 3:30 of the final period was the game-winner as the Islanders won their third straight. Tavares has eight points in the past two contests.
Evgeni Nabokov, making his first NHL regular-season start since April 10, 2010, turned aside 29 shots for the victory and kept the Rangers winless in three games.
Matt Moulson added a goal and assist and P.A. Parenteau had three assists for the Islanders.
After Marian Gaborik tied it at 1-1 at 6:23 of the second, Tavares struck for his first power-play tally, backhanding a rebound of Mark Streit's shot past Henrik Lundqvist at 11:47.
Brandon Prust sent the Rangers into the second intermission tied when his wraparound attempt deflected off the skate of Frans Nielsen and past Nabokov with 1:34 left in the period.
Tavares connected on his second power-play tally when he redirected a pass from the point by Streit. He completed the hat trick with an empty-net goal.