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Gionta's hat trick paces Devils past Islanders

Sep 27, 2007 - 1:39 AM LOWELL, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- Brian Gionta is ready to prove last season was just a bump in the road.

Gionta recorded a hat trick and John Madden added a pair of goals as the New Jersey Devils skated to a 6-1 preseason victory over the New York Islanders at the Tsongas Arena on Wednesday.

After scoring a franchise-record 48 goals in 2005-06, Gionta netted just 25 last season but missed 20 games due to injury. The 28-year-old had no trouble finding the net in this one, tallying 35 seconds into the contest to give the Devils an early lead.

Madden and Travis Zajac also scored in the opening session as New Jersey built a 3-0 cushion less four minutes into the contest.

Gionta pushed the Devils' advantage to four with a power-play goal 52 seconds into the middle period and completed his hat trick midway through the third with another man-advantage tally.

Madden capped his two-goal performance on the power play with 38 seconds to go in the third.

Zach Parise and defensemen Andy Greene and Karel Rachunek each recorded two assists for New Jersey.

Reigning Vezina Trophy winner Martin Brodeur played two periods, allowing one goal on 15 shots. Frank Doyle made 11 saves in the third.

Gordie Dwyer netted the lone tally for the Islanders. Wade Dubielewicz yielded four goals on 20 shots before giving way midway through the second period to Joey MacDonald, who made six saves.