Islanders thump Sharks, 4-1

SAN JOSE – The Sharks’ Keven Leblanc scored in the first period for a 1-0 lead over the New York Islanders on Saturday evening.

Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield (24) checks Kevin Labanc to the ice during third period action – Photo by Jack Lima

It was all downhill after that as the Isles scored four straight for a 4-1 win.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau started the New York offense in the first to tie the game, 1-1, headed to the middle frame.

Ilya Sorokin made 29 saves in the Islanders win.

“I thought it took us a little bit to get our legs going, but once we did I thought we played pretty well,” New York coach Lane Lambert said.

New York improved to 36-27-8 off their sixth win in nine games.

“I think it was a back-and-forth game. I thought we matched their intensity,” Labanc said. “We just didn’t really get any bounces our way.”

San Jose dropped to 19-37-14.

“I’m just trying to help the team win,” Labanc said. “We’re all trying to do our part and trying to play as hard as we can. Some guys are playing for contracts and some guys are playing for pride.”

Kyle Palmieri and Ryan Pulock scored in the second stanza for a 3-1 lead to the Isles.

“To have a couple of days off there I think it took half the first period to find our legs a little bit, but once we did that I thought we had pretty good control of the game,” Islanders forward Zach Parise said. “Outside [of] the initial puck drop, I thought we played a really solid game.”

New York moved into sole possession of the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference after the Pittsburgh Penguins were swamped by the New York Rangers, 6-0, on Saturday.

“I thought the fourth goal really demoralized us,” San Jose coach David Quinn said. “I thought, if we’re able to get that next one, all of a sudden it’s a 3-2 hockey game and then the third period may take on a different meaning to it but, unfortunately, we weren’t able to get that.”

Parise added a marker in the third period for the 4-1 final.