The New Jersey Devil lead the New York Islanders, 3-2, after two periods today at Nassau Coliseum.
The Devils led the period in shots, 10-9 and hold an edge in total shots, 21-18.
Mattias Tedenby extended the Devils' lead to 3-0 at 6:40 of the period. Mark Fraser put the puck toward the net that bounced off of Rod Pelley. Tedenby picked up the loose puck in the left circle and deked around Islanders' defenseman Andrew MacDonald. Tedenby then faked a shot, freezing Kevin Poulin. He beat the Isles goalie with a backhanded shot for his fifth goal of the season.
Despite not playing in six straight games, Tedenby still leads all Devils' rookie skaters in points. He also has an assist in the game.
The Islanders used two quick goals to get back in the game.
P.A. Parenteau put the Islanders on the board at 10:56 of the period. Blake Comeau chipped the puck past Mark Fraser along the left boards, creating a 3-on-1 near the front of the net. Comeau sent a pass across the crease to Parenteau, who backhanded the puck past a diving Martin Brodeur for his 11th goal of the season.
Fifty-seven seconds later, Michael Grabner cut the Devils' lead to 3-2. Grabner got behind Fraser and took a pass from Josh Bailey in the slot. His quick wrist shot beat Brodeur through the pads for his 11th goal of the season.
After that goal, Devils' head coach Jacques Lemaire took a timeout. It worked, as the Devils struck for two quick goals later in the period.
Rod Pelley extended the lead to 4-2 at 16:59 of the period. Fraser's point shot deflected off of Poulin, and Pelley pushed the puck into the net for his third goal of the season.
Jason Arnott, who assisted on the goal, recorded the 500th assist of his career.
Dainius Zubrus put the Devils ahead by three goals 54 seconds later. Brian Rolston's left circle shot deflected off the skate of Patrik Elias and went right to the stick of Zubrus, who fired the puck into the net for his seventh goal of the season.
The Devils then caught a break near the end of the period.
The Islanders appeared to make it a 5-3 game on Parenteau's second goal of the season. But official Mike McCreary ruled that Grabner, who was pushed into Brodeur by defenseman Mark Fayne, interfered with the Devils' goalie. It was incidental contact, and resulted in no goal and no penalty.