3 games into WC, John Tavares tied for scoring lead

 Three games into this year's World Championships, Islanders forward John Tavares is tied for the tournament scoring lead.

Both Tavares (2 goals, 3 assists) and Carolina rookie Jeff Skinner (3 goals, 2 assists) have five points apiece for Team Canada. Tavares tallied his second goal of the tournament in Canada's 4-3 win over the Swiss.

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Islanders defenseman Milan Jurcina added an assist in Slovakia's 4-3 loss to Russia. Goaltender  Evgeni Nabokov, whose contract rights are owned by the Islanders, was pulled midway through the game. He gave up three goals on 20 shots before being replaced by Konstantin Barulin.

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I'm headed home to Michigan for my little sister's graduation from MSU (my alma mater too!) so for all Islanders updates until next Monday, please follow Newsday's Arthur Staple @StapeNewsday on Twitter.