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Okposo's hat trick lifts Islanders to 8-1 rout of Oilers

NEW YORK (AP) - Kyle Okposo scored a hat trick after the Islanders opened a commanding early lead with three first-period goals as New York routed the last-place Edmonton Oilers 8-1 on Sunday.

Thomas Greiss made 30 saves for the Islanders (27-18-6), who moved within three points of the Rangers for second-place in the Metropolitan Division.

Johnny Boychuk, John Tavares and Nikolay Kulemin scored in the opening period, chasing former Islanders netminder Anders Nilsson, who was replaced after Kulemin's goal by former Ranger Cam Talbot.

Boychuk, in his first game back after missing 11 games with an upper body injury suffered on Dec. 31 at Buffalo, ripped a slap shot past Nilsson at 2:57 for his fourth goal of the season.

Tavares made it 2-0 at 9:12 with his 19th goal before Kulemin added his sixth at 11:24. Oilers coach Todd McLellan then pulled Nilsson, replacing him with Talbot. Nilsson stopped only seven of the 10 shots he faced.

New York Islanders center Frans Nielsen (51), of Denmark, looks back as the puck rolls out of the crease behind Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot (33) after Islanders' Kyle Okposo (not shown) scored in the second period of an NHL hockey game in New York, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press
New York Islanders right wing Cal Clutterbuck (15) celebrates as the puck rolls out of the crease beside Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot (33) after scoring in the second period of an NHL hockey game in New York, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) collides with New York Islanders right wing Cal Clutterbuck (15) in the first period of an NHL hockey game in New York, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press
Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot (33) makes a save with Oilers defenseman Mark Fayne (5) defending against New York Islanders center Mikhail Grabovski (84), of Germany, in the second period of an NHL hockey game in New York, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) skates away as New York Islanders teammates celebrate with right wing Kyle Okposo (21) after Okposo scored a goal in the second period of an NHL hockey game in New York, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press
New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55) and Islanders center John Tavares (91) celebrate after Tavares scored a goal against the Edmonton Oilers in the first period of an NHL hockey game in New York, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. Boychuk also scored one of three Islanders goals in the period. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press
New York Islanders celebrate with center John Tavares (91) who scored one of three goals in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers in New York, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55) also scored in the first. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press
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