Devils 5, Islanders 1
DEVILS 5, ISLANDERS 1: Ilya Kovalchuk had a hat trick and Patrik Elias added a goal and an assist to lift host New Jersey over the New York Islanders on Thursday.
Kovalchuk scored a goal in each period for his 13th career hat trick and lead the Devils to consecutive victories. After a nine-game goal drought, Kovalchuk has four goals and an assist in his last two contests and 29 goals this season.
The Russian sniper tallied the first two goals of the game before Andrew MacDonald banked a shot off Martin Brodeur from a bad angle to cut the Devils' lead to 2-1 in the second period.
Elias buried a rebound on a delayed penalty 7:05 into the third period to put New Jersey up 3-1.
Just over a minute later, Kovalchuk unleashed a rocket from the slot on the power play to complete his second hat trick of the campaign and put the Devils up 4-1.
David Clarkson added his 27th marker of the season late in the third to seal the victory.
Brodeur made 29 saves for his 24th win.
The teams will square off in the second game of the home-and-home Saturday in Long Island.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Devils forward Travis Zajac (Achilles) and defenseman Henrik Tallinder (blood clot) didn’t play. … New Jersey forward Adam Henrique has five points in four games vs. the Islanders. … Kovalchuk’s last hat trick was Feb. 14 against the San Jose Sharks. ... Devils defenseman Marek Zidlicky had two assists, his first points since being acquired from Minnesota at the trade deadline.