Semyon Varlamov makes 24 saves to help the Islanders beat the Canucks 5-2

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Semyon Varlamov made 24 saves, Anders Lee had a goal and an assist and the New York Islanders beat the Vancouver Canucks 5-2 on Thursday night.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Scott Mayfield, Pierre Engvall and Noah Dobson — into an empty net — also scored for New York. The Islanders were coming off consecutive 4-3 overtime losses, at home against New Jersey on Saturday and at Edmonton on Tuesday night.

Jonathan Lekkerimaki scored his first NHL goal early in the first period for Vancouver, and Tyler Myers finished the scoring late in the third.

Dakota Joshua returned to action for Vancouver after surgery for testicular cancer. . He skated on the fourth line with Nils Hoglander and Aatu Raty.

Islanders: Mayfield, Engvall and Dobson scored their first goals of the season.

Canucks: Vancouver fell to 2-3-3 at home and 8-4-3 overall.

The Islanders put it away with their first two shots of the second period. Just 14 seconds in, a harmless-looking point shot from Mayfield hit two Canucks players’ sticks before beating a surprised Kevin Lankinen. Less than two minutes later, Engvall banged home a rebound from in tight.

Vancouver had just three shots in each of the first two periods.

The Islanders are at Seattle on Saturday for the third stop on a five-game trip. The Canucks have a weekend back-to-back, hosting Chicago on Saturday night and Nashville on Sunday night.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Vancouver Canucks' Jonathan Lekkerimaki (23) celebrates with teammates J.T. Miller, second right, and Filip Hronek after scoring a goal against the New York Islanders during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Rich Lam/The Canadian Press via AP)

New York Islanders' Jean-Gabriel Pageau celebrates after scoring a goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Rich Lam/The Canadian Press via AP)

New York Islanders' Scott Mayfield celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Vancouver Canucks during second-period NHL hockey game action in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.(Rich Lam/The Canadian Press via AP)

New York Islanders' Pierre Engvall, right, celebrates with teammates Dennis Cholowski, left, and Simon Holmstrom, center, after scoring against the Vancouver Canucks during second-period NHL hockey game action in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.(Rich Lam/The Canadian Press via AP)

New York Islanders' Anders Lee, left, settles the puck in front of Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Rich Lam/The Canadian Press via AP)

New York Islanders' goalie Semyon Varlamov, right, makes a save with Vancouver Canucks' Elias Pettersson, front left, screening during second-period NHL hockey game action in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.(Rich Lam/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Canucks' Vincent Desharnais, right, and New York Islanders' Matt Martin (17) fight during second-period NHL hockey game action in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.(Rich Lam/The Canadian Press via AP)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Washington trailed by two points on in the fourth quarter, needing a field goal or first down to keep its prospects of a win — and a shot at the NFC East lead — alive in Philadelphia.

The Commanders were behind 12-10 when they were stopped on second- and third-and-1. Buoyed by an early-season hot streak, coach Dan Quinn called his rookie quarterback's number on fourth-and-2 from the Eagles 26.

Jayden Daniels juggled the snap, scrambled to his right and was hammered out of bounds by linebacker Zack Baun.

The Eagles took over on downs. The defining win for the Commanders under Quinn and Daniels has to wait.

Shortly after that misfire, Saquon Barkley rushed for the first of his two fourth-quarter touchdowns to give division-leading Philadelphia a two-score lead, and the Eagles (8-2) sent the Commanders (7-4) to their second straight loss, 26-18 on Thursday night.

“Bold call,” Quinn said. “I'd also say we were prepared for that moment. Didn't love the execution. But we've been an excellent fourth-down team. Going into it, we knew we'd have to take our shots against a tough division team on the road. We didn't like the execution or the result. But we were prepared for that.”

Plan B was the field goal.

Zane Gonzalez, promoted off the practice squad with Austin Seibert dealing with a hip injury, made a 45-yarder in the third quarter for a 10-3 lead. Quinn decided not to give him another shot from about 44 yards out for a 13-12 lead.

“To be the heavy hitters that we want to be, you've got to be able to close,” Quinn said. “How do you learn the lesson to close? That's what we're going to become. You knew this adversity was coming. It just does.”

Daniels finished 22 of 32 for 191 yards and a late touchdown pass. He was intercepted by safety Reed Blankenship late in the fourth, setting up Barkley's second TD.

As for the decisive fourth-down call, Daniels said, “I'm always a part of, hey let's go for it.”

It was a frustrating night for Daniels and top receiver Terry McLaurin, who exceeded 100 yards receiving in last Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh for the fourth time in the past eight games, accumulating 113 on five catches.

McLaurin had just one catch for 10 yards against the Eagles and cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.

“It happens,” McLaurin said. “I can only control what I can.”

Quinn said he would give the Commanders a couple of extra days off ahead of the stretch run. The Commanders play four of their next five games at home, starting Nov. 24 against Dallas.

They need a breather.

While the Eagles had the earliest bye in the NFL in Week 5, the Commanders have the latest in Week 14, and the injuries are piling up after a relatively healthy start to the season.

“I feel like we'll respond great,” Daniels said. “We'll rest up and get back to it.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) celebrates sacking Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels celebrates a 1-yard touchdown run by Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) is sacked by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. (3) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn speaks during a news conference following an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz sits on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels shake hands following an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. The Eagles won 26-18. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels pauses during a news conference following an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)