Isles Postgame: Islanders 5, Sharks 3

The New York Islanders put on a offensive show Saturday night at home.
John Tavares had a three-point night and Josh Bailey scored a goal-of-the-year candidate as the Islanders skated to a 5-3 win over the San Jose Sharks at Barclays Center - improving to 2-0-1 at home this season.

BOXSCORE - PHOTO GALLERY - THE SKINNY
Anders Lee scored a pair of goals, Andrew Ladd scored his second of the season and Thomas Greiss made 28 saves. Logan Couture countered with a hat-trick for San Jose, but the Islanders three third-period goals were enough for a second straight win, a season series sweep over the Sharks and season record over .500 for the first time this season.

"We looked a little faster and we looked like we were playing with confidence for most of the game," Head Coach Doug Weight said. "It was refreshing. I think we were getting a little stagnant in the last couple of games. We did a great job for the most part of getting pucks in with speed."
After a scoreless first period, Couture, Lee and Bailey combined for three goals in a 2:05 span early in the second period. Couture broke the ice with a tip-in at 6:26, but Lee answered with his first of the night at 7:33.

Tied 1-1, Bailey dazzled the home fans, dangling through Joe Pavelski before deking with his stick between his legs and tucking it past the sharks goalie to make it 2-1.
"It just happens, it really wasn't my intention when I got in tight," Bailey said. "I felt like he didn't really bite on anything and I just ran out of space, so I figured that was my best option."

"He's too modest," Lee said. "That's a pretty special goal he scored. He does it all the time in practice, but to pull that off in a game. It got the boys fired up."
Couture's second of the game had the teams in a 2-2 deadlock heading into the third period, but Ladd snatched the lead back for the Islanders early into the final frame. Ladd posted up in the high slot as Mathew Barzal circled the Sharks net and found the Islanders veteran in the slot for a one-timer. Barzal's assist extended his point streak to three games (1G, 2A).

Tavares, who entered Saturday's game on a four-game point drought, returned to the scoresheet in the first period and to the highlight reel in the third. On a two-on-one rush with Lee, Tavares showed tremendous patience, making a few quick moves and outwaiting Brent Burns before feeding Lee with a backdoor pass through the defenseman's legs to make it 4-2.
"Honestly, he waited so long I thought he was going to shoot it and he almost fooled me a well," Lee said. "I just stayed patient, just like he did making that play waiting for the lane. A player like Johnny, you never give up on an opportunity for him to make that pass."

"Honestly, he waited so long I thought he was going to shoot it and he almost fooled me as well," Lee said. "I just stayed patient, just like he did making that play waiting for the lane. A player like Johnny, you never give up on an opportunity for him to make that pass."
Couture's third of the night cut the Islanders lead to one, but Tavares' long-range empty-netter iced the game shortly after.

ISLANDERS HOST ALUMNI:

The Islanders put on a show for the fans on Saturday, but also for the team's alumni, who were at Barclays Center celebrating alumni weekend. Former Islanders from every era - including Bryan Trottier, Eddie Westfall, Mark Parrish - were honored before Saturday's game.
Stay tuned for full coverage of Islanders alumni weekend.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS NIGHT:

Saturday was Breast Cancer Awareness night at Barclays Center. The Islanders used special pink hockey tape in warmups and hosted the Susan G. Komen Foundation, as well as breast cancer survivors. Portions of tickets sold at Saturday's game benefitted the Komen Foundation.

THIS AND THAT:

With the win the Islanders improve to 22-4-4 against Western Conference teams at Barclays Center.
The Islanders also paid homage to Gord Downie at Saturday's game, playing The Tragically Hip songs during the team's warmup to honor lead singer Gord Downie, who passed away on Tuesday.

NEXT GAME:

The Islanders wrap up their two-game homestead against the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday night. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.