Islanders 3, Panthers 0: Evgeni Nabokov registered his 55th career shutout after turning aside all 26 shots he faced to make defenseman Andrew MacDonald's first-period power-play goal stand up as New York posted just its sixth home victory.

John Tavares and Casey Cizikas sealed the win with empty-net goals 18 seconds apart in the third period for the Islanders, who had dropped three in a row since securing a 4-3 victory over Florida on March 16.

Nabokov recorded his third shutout after stopping four shots in the first period, 12 in the second and 10 in the third.

With Panthers defenseman Filip Kuba serving a tripping penalty, MacDonald gave Nabokov all the offense he would need during the waning moments of the power play. After some great puck movement by New York, the blue-liner sailed a shot from along the edge of the right faceoff circle between the pads of a screened Jacob Markstrom at 6:05 into the first period.

Markstrom finished with 34 saves for the Panthers, who have dropped two in a row and eight of their last 10 games (2-7-1).

GAME NOTEBOOK: New York improved its home mark to 6-11-2, moving it into 29th place in the league in terms of points. Florida, which is 4-8-5, sits in the basement. ... Nabokov improved to 7-3-1 in his career versus the Panthers. ... Florida D Erik Gudbranson missed his second straight game with the flu and RW Jack Skille was held out with an upper-body injury.