Islanders win eighth straight, beating Lightning 5-2

Since opening the season with three losses in four games, the New York Islanders have been unbeatable thanks to sheer teamwork. Their latest win was a textbook example.

Anders Lee had a goal and two assists in host New York’s three-goal third period, and the Islanders beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 Friday night for their eighth straight win.

Mathew Barzal and Ryan Pulock scored in the second period, Josh Bailey and Derick Brassard had goals in the third, and Thomas Greiss stopped 33 shots for New York’s longest winning streak since a nine-game run in the 1989-90 season.

“We understand what we are and what works for us. We rely on each other,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz. “We were playing quick against a real good team. I thought we managed everything well.”

Ducks 2, Canucks 1: Ryan Getzlaf scored a breakaway goal 2:30 into overtime, and John Gibson made 39 saves as host Anaheim beat Vancouver. Jakob Silfverberg scored a short-handed goal in the first period for the Ducks, who improved to 6-1-0 at Honda Center with their second straight victory to open a seven-game homestand.

Blues 4, Blue Jackets 3: David Perron scored eight seconds into overtime to lift host St. Louis past Columbus. After the Blues overcame a two-goal deficit to force overtime, Perron scored off a pass from Alex Pietrangelo at the moment St. Louis’ power play from Sonny Milano’s hooking penalty expired. Brayden Schenn, Oskar Sundqvist and Robert Thomas also scored and Jordan Binnington made 27 saves to improve to 7-2-3. The defending champion Blues have won three straight games and five of six.

Stars 2, Avalanche 1: Roope Hintz scored twice, including a short-handed goal in the second period, and Anton Khudobin made 38 saves in...