Nielsen, Tavares lead Islanders to 4-1 win against Wild
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Frans Nielsen scored twice, John Tavares had a goal and an assist, and the New York Islanders beat the Minnesota Wild 4-1 on Tuesday night in a matchup of surging teams.
Matt Martin also scored for New York, which has won six of eight. Jaroslav Halak made 30 saves as the Islanders improved to 2-0 on a seven-game road trip - their longest of the season.
Nielsen deflected Tavares' pass on the power play to make it 2-0 in the first period and added a short-handed, empty-net goal late in the third.
Tavares' 23rd of the season stood following a replay review that determined Anders Lee did not interfere with Minnesota goalie Devan Dubnyk.
Dubnyk made 27 saves as the Wild lost for the first time in five games under interim coach John Torchetti.
