NHL: N.Y. Islanders 5, Washington 2

UNIONDALE, N.Y., March 10 (UPI) -- Jason Blake scored twice Saturday night to help the New York Islanders beat Washington, 5-2.

Andy Hilbert, Mike Sillinger, and Marc-Andre Bergeron all had a goal and an assist; while Rick DiPietro made 32 saves on 34 shots for the Islanders, who are three points ahead of eighth-place Carolina, and four in front of the ninth-place New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference playoff race after breaking a two-game skid.

They scored twice in each of the first two periods to build a 4-0 lead entering the third.

Alexander Ovechkin and Donald Brashear both scored once; and Brent Johnson gave up four goals on 28 shots for the Capitals, who have a season-high seven-game losing streak.

Blake's second goal was an empty-netter.

There were power play goals on eight combined chances.