Another Tavares hat trick lifts Isles

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — John Tavares had another hat trick, and the Islanders finally found some power-play success.

The Isles’ captain scored a natural hat trick in the third period, leading the way to a 6-2 victory over the Predators on Saturday night.

It was Tavares’ second hat trick in three games and the eighth of his NHL career.

“The execution was good,” Tavares said. “We played with pace. We were hard, hard on pucks and just played an up-tempo game.”

Jordan Eberle scored twice and Ryan Pulock had a goal for the Islanders. Anders Lee, Brock Nelson and Anthony Beauvillier each had two as- sists to help the Islanders win for the fourth time in five games. Jaroslav Halak made 28 saves.

Filip Forsberg and Craig Smith scored for the Predators, who have lost three of four.

With the Islanders on a power play in the first period, Eberle’s shot from the left faceoff circle beat goalie Juuse Saros between the pads for his first goal of the season.

“That definitely reinforces the fact that you’ve got to get the puck to the net,” Islanders coach Doug Weight said. “I thought they entered well — the thing we focused on the last 24 hours.”

The Islanders began the day with the NHL’s worst power play at 6.1 percent, scoring just two man-advantage goals in the first 10 games. They connected on three of five opportunities against the Predators.

Tavares scored his seventh of the season just 12 seconds into the third. Behind the Nashville net, Tavares disrupted a clearing attempt by Saros, with the puck going to Lee in the low slot. Lee threw the puck toward the net, where Tavares tipped it by Saros.

Tavares scored 2:40 later when he redirected Lee’s shot from the left circle. He completed the hat trick and scored the Isles’ third powerplay goal of the night at 7:26.