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Panthers Snap DiPietro's Three-Game Winning Streak

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) Radek Dvorak's goal with 6:32 left in the third period lifted the Florida Panthers to a 4-3 victory over the Islanders on Saturday night, despite a hat trick by New York's John Tavares.

It was the first three-goal game in the NHL for Tavares, the No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft.

Mike Weaver, Steve Bernier, and David Booth also scored goals for the Panthers. Tomas Vokoun made 30 saves.

Rick DiPietro stopped 26 shots for the Islanders (4-2-2), who had a three-game winning streak snapped.

Florida went ahead for good on Dvorak's late goal. Bryan McCabe's shot from above the right circle bounced off DiPietro's right leg and out to Dvorak. His slap shot went past DiPietro on the glove side.

The Islanders tied it 3-3 with 1:07 left in the second on Tavares' third goal of the game. Blake Comeau took a shot from the right circle that was blocked. Tavares got the loose puck and slid it into an open net past Vokoun, who was leaning the other way.

Florida took a 3-2 lead on Booth's odd goal in the second. DiPietro blocked a shot by Weaver, but the puck slowly slid under his legs. Booth was able to get his blade on the puck in the crease behind DiPietro and push it in just before the net came off its moorings at 15:57.

The Panthers took a 2-1 lead midway through the first. Dennis Wideman passed from above the right circle across the ice to Bernier. The puck deflected off defenseman Mark Eaton's stick, but Bernier got to the puck and fired it past DiPietro.

The Islanders tied it 2-2 on Tavares' second power-play goal. James Wisniewski's shot was deflected, but Tavares picked up the loose puck and poked it in at 8:01.

Florida took a 1-0 lead at 4:58 of the first on Weaver's first of the season. His shot from the top of the right circle got past DiPietro on the glove side.

The Islanders tied it at 1 on a power-play goal by Tavares. Wisniewski's shot from the point was blocked. Tavares grabbed the rebound and pushed in the puck at 9:25.

Notes: The Panthers paid tribute to Bill Torrey, the team's first president, by raising a commemorative banner to the rafters with his name, the number 93 for the Panthers' first year, and the Panthers colors. Torrey served as president from 1993-2002 and is still an alternate governor for the team. Torrey, a Hockey Hall of Famer, was also the first general manager of the Islanders. ... Florida C Shawn Matthias was scratched due to a foot injury sustained Friday in practice. ... Panthers D Jason Garrison sat out for the second straight game with a groin injury. ... New York LW Josh Bailey missed the game because of a hip injury.

© 2010 by STATS LLC and Associated Press.

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