UNIONDALE, N.Y., March 5 -- If he was looking for a few pointers, Zigmund Palffy couldn't have tapped into a better source than the NHL's seventh leading goal scorer of all time. Prior to the New York Islanders 5-3 victory over the Boston Bruins Tuesday night, the 23-year-old native of Skalica, Slovakia, was viewing old tape of former Islander great Mike Bossy. When he hit the ice, Palffy did what No. 22 did so many times, registering a hat trick that included the game-winning goal in the third period. Palffy, who recorded his first career hat trick in Sunday's 7-5 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, has eight goals in his last four games. He leads the team with 33 goals. 'I was watching highlights of Bossy before the game, just watching him fly to the top of the circle and snapping the puck. Just to see a couple of goals,' said Palffy, who had 10 goals in 33 games last year. 'But just because I watch him doesn't mean I have to play like him. It was just for fun.' Palffy became the first Islander to notch back-to-back hat tricks since Mike Bossy accomplished the feat on Jan. 13 and 17, 1981. Palffy secured the hat trick at 5:47 of the third period when his breakaway goal broke a 3-3 tie and gave the Islanders the lead for good. 'He (Schneider) gave me the puck in the neutral zone,' Palffy said. 'I think they were changing.
It was a breakaway and I tried the five hole. I wanted to go low. 'I think everybody played well, not just me. 'I got nice passes and I just put it in the net.' Directly after the goal Boston defenseman Kyle McClaren crashed into goaltender Bill Ranford, who was forced to leave the game in favor of Craig Billington. Ranford, who allowed four goals on 14 shots, was diagnosed with a bruised right shoulder. McLaren suffered a concussion. Eric Fichaud made 32 saves to improve to 5-4 while Wendel Clark added a goal and an assist to help the Islanders end a four-game losing streak. Meanwhile, Boston's third loss in four games kept the Bruins five points behind Montreal and New Jersey for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Boston has made the playoffs for 28 consecutive seasons. 'It's disappointing...all losses are disappointing,' Bruins coach Steve Kasper said. 'It's a game we needed badly and we didn't get it. We didn't find a way to get it done. We lost some battles at key times and it cost us. They capitalized on their power play and before we took a penalty, we had a chance to get the puck out along the boards three times while we were penalty killing and we didn't.' The Islanders, who were outshot 34-16, converted on half of their four power-play opportunities. 'It was more than just Ziggy,' Islanders coach Mike Milbury said. 'I thought we played for the most part with a lot better discipline and we were able to settle down after 3-3. Of course you need offense and Ziggy was able to provide it. I thought Wendel (Clark) and Travis (Green) also had outstanding games.' Travis Green had two assists, extending his points streak to 10 games. Palffy's second goal of the game and 32nd of the season, a power-play tally 4:06 into the second period, gave New York a 3-1 advantage. But Rick Tocchet jammed the puck under Fichaud following a rush up the right side 52 seconds later, making it 3-2. Shawn McEachern deked past Islanders' defenseman Bryan McCabe and tucked the puck under Fichaud 2:49 into the third period to tie it. Dan Plante's third goal -- a wrist shot over Billington's left shoulder -- provided New York with an insurance goal with 6:28 left. 'We got a big goal from Danny Plante,' Milbury said. 'Right up to gametime he was questionable. It was a terrific move and a terrific shot against a team that was pretty desperate for a win.' Boston's Joe Mullen played in his 1,000th NHL game.
