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Langenbrunner, Parise lead Devils over Islanders

Nov 22, 2008 - 5:41 AM NEWARK, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The New Jersey Devils finally gave some support to one of Martin Brodeur's substitutes.

Captain Jamie Langenbrunner and Zach Parise each recorded three assists and five different players scored goals as the Devils backed Kevin Weekes in a 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders on Friday.

David Clarkson and Travis Zajac each tallied in the first period, while defenseman Bryce Salvador netted his first goal as a member of the Devils early in the second.

Brian Gionta notched a shorthanded goal and an assist and blue-liner Paul Martin scored on the power play for the Devils, who extended their winning streak to three games.

"That's really big for us," Parise said. "We had all the lines playing really well, we were skating. We were moving the puck really well, we were capitalizing for a change. I think everyone's feeling a little more confident right now."

Parise's three assists tied his career high set on October 17, 2007 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Andy Hilbert and Sean Bergenheim scored for the Islanders, whose three-game winning streak came to an end.

After three straight starts by Scott Clemmensen, Weekes got the call for New Jersey and made 25 saves en route to his 100th career win. Weekes had started four of the Devils' first five contests in the wake of Brodeur's elbow injury.

"It was just the fact that we played three games in four nights," Devils coach Brent Sutter said. "(Weekes) was solid. He made the saves when he had to. He played a decent game."

Despite receiving valiant efforts from their netminders, the Devils' offense has been nearly invisible, entering Friday having scored more than two goals just three times in its previous eight games.

Clarkson opened the scoring on the man advantage with 79 seconds remaining in the first period, burying a hard slap shot from above the right faceoff circle. Langenbrunner helped double the lead 10 seconds later, when he dished the puck to Zajac, who flipped it over goaltender Joey MacDonald.

"It's always tough when you give up a couple of quick ones, but it's just one of those things," MacDonald said. "They made two great tips, one on the power play, and they came right down again and made another one."

The goals were the fastest two scored by New Jersey since John Madden and Patrik Elias tallied eight seconds apart on April 6, 2001 against the Boston Bruins.

"That's always big," Sutter said. "Getting that first one on the power play was huge, and then we were able to score seconds later."

Hilbert halved the deficit at 3:29 of the second period, but Salvador tallied 23 seconds later to restore the Devils' two-goal advantage.

"Just trying to get a puck on the net and I got a good bounce there," Salvador said. "I think we came out right from the start and wanted to play 60 minutes solid. (We are) just making sure we're playing consistent, getting the pucks in and try to play in their zone. And when we had our chances, we buried them.

"We're just trying to focus on playing 60 minutes. Tonight, we came out playing pretty consistent."

After Bergenheim drew New York within 3-2 with 6:56 remaining, Gionta tapped a puck under MacDonald's pads while on the penalty kill with 16 seconds left.

"It was a delayed penalty on the shorthanded (situation)," Gionta said. "We regrouped out in the neutral zone, (Parise) made a great move cutting in on net, opening it up. The puck was just sitting there, kind of bouncing around. (I) just got a stick on it."

Goalless in his first 12 games this season, Martin netted his second tally in as many nights with 7 1/2 minutes to go in third to cap the scoring for New Jersey, which improved to 5-6-2 over its last 13 contests after winning five of its first six.

"We had plenty of opportunities, a lot of shots and they did a good job getting in lanes blocking the shots," Martin said. "We had some shots that got deflected, so it was good to get one in the back of the net there. It was kind of a relief."

Making his ninth straight start, MacDonald turned aside 28 shots for the Islanders.

"They're a great team," MacDonald said. "They throw a lot of stuff at the net and had a couple of good tips. We've just got to keep battling. We had a few turnovers, and that cost us the game. In the second period, I thought we started throwing some stuff at the net, but it seemed like every time we battled back, they came down. Just one of those nights that the puck was just bouncing."

The Islanders were upset by a big hit by Devils defenseman Mike Mottau on Frans Nielsen in the third. Mottau came across and caught Nielsen, who suffered head and leg injuries.

"I know it was to the head," Islanders captain - and former Devil - Bill Guerin said. "I came in and I watched it on video just to make sure. I know Mike Mottau, he's not a dirty player, but it was a dirty hit. I'm just sick and tired of hearing how the Players' Association has to get together on this.

"There's a lot of people involved in this. There's the players, there's the referees, and then there's the league. We all have a responsibility to the league to make it better. It takes away from the game."