The Islanders had a third-period lead for the fourth straight game on Saturday, but instead of blowing it, they held on to snap a three-game slide.

The Blues and Islanders combined for one goal at even-strength Saturday as the Blues lost 3-1, their seventh loss in the last nine games.

Kyle Palmieri scored twice, Brock Nelson had a goal and two assists and the New York Islanders beat the St. Louis Blues 3-1 to end a three-game skid.

Biggest problem reared its ugly head again: not generating enough offense, refusal to funnel pucks to the net when traffic is there; when chances are there, not burying them with regularity; goaltendi

This time, the Islanders held onto - and extended - a third-period lead. Brock Nelson had three points, moving him into a tie for ninth with John Tonelli on the team's all-time list.

Palmieri gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead at 18:51 of the first period. Nelson picked off a Pierre-Olivier Joseph pass at the red line, skated into the offensive zone on a 3-on-2 rush and fed Palmieri, who beat Binnington with a wrist shot between the circles.