newjerseydevils.com – Brian Gionta recorded a hat trick, including two power play goals, and
John Madden scored twice as the Devils downed the Islanders, 6-1, Wednesday night in Lowell, Mass.
Gionta opened the scoring just 35 seconds into the contest with an unassisted goal to give New Jersey an early 1-0 lead. Goals from
John Madden (1:54) and
Travis Zajac (3:58) then staked the Devils to a 3-0 advantage before the game's four-minute mark.
Martin Brodeur got the start in net and played for two periods, allowing one goal on 15 Islanders shots to improve to 2-0-0 in preseason. He was was relieved at the start of the third period by
Frank Doyle, who turned away all 11 shots against.
In the second period, Gionta needed just 52 seconds from the drop of the puck to increase the Devils' edge to 4-0 with his second of the contest. He later completed the hat trick at 10:58 of the third period.
Madden added a power play marker in the game's final minute for New Jersey's sixth goal of the night.
Andy Greene,
Zach Parise and
Karel Rachunek each recorded a pair of assists, as the Devils converted on three of six power play opportunities and finished a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
With a win in the first game of the home-and-home series, New Jersey improved to 3-2-0 and will conclude its preseason schedule with a 7 p.m. contest against the Islanders in Bridgeport, Conn., this Saturday. Lowell is the home of New Jersey's AHL affiliate Devils.