Islanders 5, Bruins 1: Palmieri’s early hat trick powers comfortable win

The hats, so many hats.The New York Islanders felt they were due for a win over the Boston Bruins, and you might’ve even hoped they’d get it, but you probably didn’t expect it to be as smooth and comfortable as Satuday night’s 5-1 cruise in Elmont.

Kyle Palmieri was on the board 3:32 into the first period and had a natural hat trick after just over 12 minutes. Entering the second period with a 3-0 lead and 40 minutes still to blow it, Anders Lee erased any lurking fears of that by making it 4-0 in the period’s opening minute.

Brock Nelson made it 5-0 before Marc McLaughlin ended Ilya Sorokin’s shutout bid with 5:30 to go in the middle period. Sorokin was only called on for 22 saves (and just…