Islanders 4 - 3 Predators
Final
  for this game

Nelson, Islanders hand Preds 5th straight loss

Mar 6, 2015 - 4:06 AM Nashville, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Brock Nelson scored the game-winning goal during a wild third period as the New York Islanders sent the Nashville Predators to their fifth straight loss with a 4-3 decision.

John Tavares and Nick Leddy each tallied a goal and an assist, Anders Lee also lit the lamp and Jaroslav Halak made 28 saves for the Islanders, who ended a two-game skid.

Craig Smith, Colin Wilson and Mike Ribeiro all scored for Nashville, while Pekka Rinne allowed all four New York goals on 26 shots.

After a scoreless second period, Leddy accepted a cross-ice feed from Frans Nielsen and wristed a shot from the left circle that trickled under the arm of Rinne for a 3-1 Islanders lead 8:39 into the final stanza.

Ryan Ellis' one-timer from the right point ricocheted off Ribeiro and into the net to cut the lead with 9:44 remaining, then Smith snuck up the right side and wristed a shot over Halak just 31 seconds later for a tie game.

The Islanders reclaimed the lead for good after Rinne was unable to contain Michael Grabner's low shot from the left side. Nelson was there in front to wrist it in for a 4-3 edge with 6:08 to play.

"We thought we played a pretty good game and they responded well," said Tavares. "We got a big play from Brock. It was good to see him get the winner."

Tavares opened the scoring for the Islanders with a wrap-around goal with 8:36 left in the first period.

On the power play, Lee increased New York's lead to 2-0 with 1:30 left in the opening stanza on a deft deflection of Leddy's blast over the shoulder of Rinne.

Wilson, however, cut the deficit in half with just 1.2 seconds remaining in the first by hammering home a loose puck from the top of the crease.

Game Notes

Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk supplied two assists to the win ... New York forwards Casey Cizikas and Eric Boulton returned to the lineup after missing time with lower-body injuries. Cizikas missed eight games, while Boulton last played on Dec. 11 ... Islanders forward Matt Martin served his one-game suspension for kneeing Stars defenseman Trevor Daley on Tuesday ... New York has won its last three games against Nashville.






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