UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) -Joe Thornton had a power-play goal and two assists to lead the San Jose Sharks to a 4-1 win over the New York Islanders on Saturday night.

San Jose's Evgeni Nabokov made 31 saves in his 500th NHL game and Ryan Vesce's first NHL goal broke a 1-all tie as the Sharks (4-3-1) snapped a two-game losing streak.

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Thornton assisted on San Jose's first two goals to extend his league-leading total to 11. Vesce and Patrick Marleau started the stretch of four unanswered goals with second-period scores.

The Islanders are still looking for their first victory of the season (0-3-3). Matt Moulson registered his team-leading fourth goal with a first-period, power-play tally.

After earning points in its first three games, New York has lost the last three in regulation and is off to its worst start since 1973.

Down 1-0 entering the second, San Jose responded with a power-play goal 7:50 into the period when Marleau ripped a backhand from the bottom of the right circle past goalie Martin Biron. Thornton earned the primary assist, sending a crisp pass onto Marleau's stick.

Thornton's skating created San Jose's second goal. He pressured defenseman Radek Martinek behind the Islanders net before he fell. Thornton pushed the loose puck in front, and an undefended Vesce pushed it in with 3:36 left in the period.

Vesce, born 40 minutes away from Nassau Coliseum in Lloyd Harbor, N.Y., played high school hockey on Long Island. The 27-year-old former Cornell standout netted his first goal in his 11th NHL game.

Thornton provided insurance just 37 seconds into the third. The six-time All-Star slammed a hard shot just inside the blue line for his second goal. Devin Setoguchi scored his fifth goal at 13:55 to make it 4-1.

The Islanders seized the early momentum before losing for the third time at home. Moulson deflected Kyle Okposo's shot past Nabokov for a power-play goal to open the scoring 15:12 in.

Moulson and defenseman Dan Boyle clashed just in front of the crease before the winger tipped it in with his stick blade. That marked the Islanders' second goal in the first period this season. New York held a 19-8 shots advantage through the opening 20 minutes.

John Tavares recorded an assist, giving the 19-year-old No. 1 pick points in five of the Islanders' first six games.