Islanders-Devils Final Score: New York Edges New Jersey, 3-2

Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - Michael Grabner's short-handed goal early in the third period lifted the New York Islanders over the New Jersey Devils, 3-2, in the finale of a home-and-home set.

The Devils, who won Friday's opener by a 1-0 margin, thought they had tied the game with 2.1 seconds to play in regulation. Patrik Elias won a left-circle faceoff draw for New Jersey. The puck went below the goal line and Dainius Zubrus threw the puck in front.

Zach Parise, positioned inside the crease, put the disc into the net with his skate. It was called a goal on the ice, but it was reversed upon review due to what was determined to be a distinct kicking motion.

Matt Moulson and Josh Bailey also lit the lamp for the Islanders, who snapped a four-game skid. Al Montoya made 24 saves.

Adam Henrique had a goal and an assist for the Devils, who had a two-game winning streak snapped.

Adam Larsson also scored and Martin Brodeur turned aside 23-of-26 shots in defeat.

The Devils made it a 2-2 game at the 3:59 mark of the third period. After the Islanders turned the puck over at their own blue line, Henrique gathered the disc at the left circle and made his way to the net, then went to his backhand to beat Montoya.

Grabner's short-handed goal gave New York a 3-2 edge. Just 5:51 into the final frame, Grabner stole the puck away from Ilya Kovalchuk in the New Jersey zone. Grabner found himself all alone and fired a snap shot past Brodeur.

The Devils almost tied the game with Brodeur pulled late for an extra attacker.

The Islanders took a 1-0 lead 11:28 into the game. PA Parenteau carried the puck to the middle of the right circle before passing back to Moulson, whose snap shot beat Brodeur.

Larsson's shot from the high slot made it a 1-1 game 4:20 into the middle stanza.

New York went back ahead at the 11:59 mark. Brian Rolston controlled the puck below the goal line and slid a pass to Bailey, whose snap shot from the left circle found the back of the net.

Devils 1, Islanders 0: Hedberg, Devils Blank Islanders

Johan Hedberg last played 10 days ago, but got the call from coach Peter DeBoer to start Frkiday's afternoon matinee against the New York Islanders.

The Devils' backup showed no signs of rust, stopping all 23 shots he faced to shut out the Islanders, 1-0, today at Nassau Coliseum.

"He was great," DeBoer told Tom Gulitti of The Bergen Record. "That's what we need. He's a consummate pro. He sits and waits for his turn and then comes and pitches a game like that. That's exactly what we needed."

Hedberg's most important save came with 7:50 left in the third period. While shorthanded, Michael Grabner intercepted a pass from Adam Larsson and raced toward the Devils zone. Ilya Kovalchuk dragged him down near the slot, and the referees awarded Grabner a penalty shot.

The Islanders forward skated wide, and cut across the front of the net. Hedberg stretched out his glove hand, swiping the puck out of the air to deny Grabner the chance.

It was the third penalty shot Hedberg faced this season. He stopped Nashville's Sergei Kostitsyn on October 15 and gave up a goal to Philadelphia's Max Talbot on November 3.

"He was in the zone," DeBoer told Gulitti. "I just got the feeling tonight that you could shoot all night and he wasn't going to let something in. He just had that sense in the net."

Petr Sykora scored for the Devils, netting the only goal of the game at 14:13 of the second period. Larsson held the puck at the point and tried to put a slapshot towards the net. His stick broke, and the puck found Sykora in the high slot. The right wing collected the puck and fired a wrist shot past Al Montoya for his fifth goal of the season.

Montoya stopped 22 shots in the loss. It's the first time he's lost in regulation to the Devils.

The win was the Devils fifth straight over the Islanders. It's the fourth straight win decided by one goal. The win was New Jersey's eighth in their last 11 games. They sit in a tie for third in the division with the New York Rangers.

The Islanders continued to struggle offensively. Tonight was the sixth time in 20 games they've been shut out. They've lost four straight games, with opponents blanking them three times.

The teams have a quick turnaround, as they face off in the second game of a home-and-home series Saturday at the Prudential Center.

Game Notes

Patrik Elias did not record a point in today's game, ending his four game point streak...Larsson extended his point streak to four games. That's a career high...Cam Janssen and Michael Haley dropped the gloves in the first period. It was the only fight of the game.

Devils At Islanders: New Jersey Looks For First Win Against Rival Isles