ELMONT, N.Y. (Interstat) — The New York Islanders scored three times in the first period and cruised to a 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night at UBS Arena. Anders Lee led the charge with two first-period goals, including one just 54 seconds into the game. Travis Mitchell and Simon Holmstrom also scored for New York, which built a 3-0 lead after one period. Ryan Pulock added a third-period goal. Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson and Troy Terry scored in the second and third periods, respectively, but the Ducks never recovered from the early deficit. The Islanders improved to 18-14, while Anaheim fell to 19-12. New York goaltender David Rittich earned the win. The total score went under the 6.5 over/under line.

ELMONT PARK, N.Y. (Interstat) — Anders Lee scored twice and added two assists, and the New York Islanders rode a dominant first period to a 5-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night at UBS Arena. Lee, named the game’s top star, factored in on four of the Islanders’ five goals, including the first two of the game, as New York built a 3-0 lead in the opening frame that Anaheim never seriously threatened. The Islanders improved to 18-14, while the Ducks fell to 19-12. The home side set the tone early, outshooting the Ducks 18-9 in the first period and capitalizing on relentless pressure. Lee opened the scoring at 10:16, redirecting a Tony DeAngelo point shot past Anaheim goaltender Ville Husso for a power-play goal, with Simon Holmstrom earning the secondary assist. Just over nine minutes later, Lee struck again, this time on a backhand after a scramble in front. DeAngelo and Mathew Barzal picked up the helpers, giving New York a 2-0 lead. The Islanders’ barrage continued when rookie defenseman Travis Mitchell netted his first career NHL goal at 18:18, firing a wrist shot from the point through traffic. Holmstrom and Scott Mayfield assisted on the goal that sent the Islanders into the intermission with a commanding three-goal cushion. Anaheim showed signs of life in the second period. With Anthony Duclair in the box for hooking, the Ducks converted on the man advantage. Leo Carlsson snapped a wrist shot from the high slot past Islanders netminder David Rittich at 10:34 for his 17th goal of the season. Troy Terry and Olen Zellweger provided the assists, cutting the deficit to 3-1. The Ducks carried play for stretches of the middle period, outshooting New York 14-9, but Rittich was solid, making 31 saves on 33 shots overall to earn the win. The Islanders’ defense, led by physical efforts from Ryan Pulock and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, blocked 22 shots and limited Anaheim’s high-danger chances. Any hope of an Anaheim comeback was extinguished early in the third period. Holmstrom restored New York’s three-goal lead at 18:06, finishing a backhand after a slick pass from Lee, with Adam Pelech also assisting. Just over two minutes later, at 19:22, Pulock blasted a wrist shot from the right circle for his first goal of the season, with Pageau and Lee combining to set him up, making it 5-1. Anaheim’s Troy Terry scored a consolation goal at 6:37 of the third, his ninth of the year, with Ryan Poehling and Jackson LaCombe assisting, but the game was well out of reach by then. The Islanders’ victory was a comprehensive effort. Beyond Lee’s four-point night, Holmstrom finished with a goal and two assists. DeAngelo chipped in two assists, and the defensive pairing of Pulock and Mitchell combined for two goals and steady play in their own end. The win snapped a two-game home losing streak for New York and provided a positive response after a 4-1 loss in Florida on Sunday. For Anaheim, the loss halted a two-game winning streak and underscored the challenges of a long road trip. The Ducks, who entered the game with one of the league’s better records, were undone by the slow start. Defenseman Jacob Trouba led all players with seven shots on goal, but the Ducks struggled to solve Rittich consistently. Husso stopped 28 of 33 shots in the losing effort. The game featured five minor penalties, three assessed to Anaheim. The total of seven goals went under the pregame over/under line of 6.5. The result defied the pregame projection from National Statistical, which gave the Islanders a 59.5% probability to win but predicted a 3-2 final score. The Islanders continue their homestand Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Ducks continue their East Coast road trip Saturday night against the New Jersey Devils.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Interstat) — The Anaheim Ducks, riding a potent offense, will face a New York Islanders team leaning on strong goaltending when the clubs meet Thursday night at UBS Arena. The Ducks (18-11-0) arrive in Belmont Park following a dominant 7-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday. Center Leo Carlsson led the charge with two goals, part of a recent surge that has seen him record 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) in his last 10 games. Anaheim has won three of its last four, averaging 4.5 goals per game in those victories, but was shut out 7-0 by Utah just last week, highlighting some inconsistency. The Islanders (16-14-0) look to rebound after a 4-1 road loss to the Florida Panthers on Sunday. Their success has often been tied to the performance of goaltender David Rittich. In his last five appearances, Rittich has posted a 3-1-1 record with a .939 save percentage, including a 19-save shutout against Seattle on Nov. 23. New York is 4-2-0 in its last six home games. The matchup pits Anaheim’s seventh-ranked offense (3.45 goals per game) against a New York defense that has allowed the eighth-most shots against per game (32.6). Containing Carlsson and linemate Frank Vatrano, who had a goal and six shots against Chicago, will be a key focus for the Islanders. For New York, offensive catalysts Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat will challenge a Ducks defense that has been vulnerable, allowing 3.31 goals per game. Special teams could prove decisive; the Islanders’ power play operates at 19.4%, while Anaheim’s penalty kill sits at 79.5%. This is the first of two scheduled meetings this season. The Ducks continue a four-game road trip in New Jersey on Saturday. The Islanders host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday to begin a brief two-game homestand. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST.