Nathan Horton’s hat trick helps Panthers demolish Islanders, 7-1

Nathan Horton scored three times for his second career hat trick and the Florida Panthers routed the New York Islanders, 7-1, on Monday night.

Michal Repik, Stephen Weiss, Kamil Kreps and Radek Dvorak added goals as the Panthers won for only the third time in 13 games.

Jesse Joensuu scored his first goal of the season for the Islanders, who lost for the fourth in the last five games.

Thomas Vokoun extended his mastery over the Islanders, improving to 11-4-0 in 15 starts after making 30 saves. The 33-year-old entered with a 2.10 goals-against average and .929 save percentage against New York.

Florida scored twice off breakaways and three times off turnovers against Dwayne Roloson as the Panthers ended a four-game trip at 2-2. Despite the poor won-loss record, Florida has picked up points in eight of its last 13 contests.

Horton scored twice in the second and added Florida’s last goal for his first hat trick since Dec. 13, 2005, against Nashville.

The Panthers made it a blowout with two goals in the third period’s first 55 seconds. Weiss capitalized on John Tavares’ mishandle of a neutral-zone puck and scored 15 seconds into the final period.

-- associated press