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Yashin concludes big weekend with two-point game

Oct 1, 2006 - 1:51 AM BRIDGEPORT, Connecticut (Ticker) -- Alexei Yashin just may be ready to give the New York Islanders a season they have been waiting for.

After recording a goal and an assist in Friday's win, Yashin gave a repeat performance as the Islanders closed out the preseason for both teams with a 3-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils.

Halfway through his 10-year, $87 million contract, Yashin has been a major disappointment for the Islanders, failing to surpass the 75-point mark in any of his first four seasons with the club. But the 32-year-old Russian has shown signs of changing that over the last few days, collecting four points over the final two exhibition contests.

Yashin gave New York all the offense it needed 2 1/2 minutes into Saturday's game, deflecting defenseman Tom Poti's shot past two-time Vezina Trophy winner Martin Brodeur at 2:32 for a power-play goal.

He helped make it 2-0 less than 2 1/2 minutes later as the rebound of his shot was buried by Miroslav Satan at 4:58. Trent Hunter capped the scoring with a shorthanded goal with two minutes remaining in the third period.

Re-signed to an astounding 15-year contract over the summer, Rick DiPietro stopped 10 shots in the first period before giving way to Mike Dunham, who signed a one-year contract with the Islanders on Friday. The former Devil turned aside nine shots in the middle session and 10 in the third to complete the shutout.

Brodeur made 29 saves for New Jersey.

The Islanders begin the regular season at Phoenix on Thursday, while the Devils visit Carolina for their season opener a day later.