New Jersey Devils hold off New York Islanders with 3-1 win -NHL Update
New Jersey added salt to the wounds of New York as the Devils routed the Islanders, 3-1, Tuesday night, April 3, 2012, handing them down their third straight loss at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Travis Zajac was having another enlightening performance in his fifth straight game coming out nearly missing half of the season due to surgery on his Achilles tendon. He picked up one goal during the contest and played for over 20 minutes.
"I am getting there," said Zajac. "I mean I feel better every game. I feel more confident with the puck and making plays every game. I am starting to hold on to it more and not throwing it away as I was a couple of games before. It's just nice to contribute
and help out."
Devils are secure in the sixth spot of the Eastern Conference and are headed to the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs.
Patrik Elias added the first of the night at 1:18 in the opener followed by Matt Moulson’s equaliser for his 35th of the 2011-2012 NHL regular season.
Zajac broke the tie on the second period power play which carried over from the first as Marty Reasoner was booked at 19:54 in the opening.
"When you are out that long, you want to come back and make an impact right away," said Zach Parise, talking about Zajac. "We've been trying to find him and maybe trying to find him too much. Tonight was good. It has to feel good for him to get that one
before the postseason starts.”
New Jersey captain, Zach Parise, assisted Ilya Kovalchuk for the game-winner in the final minute of regulation before an overtime extension was to come into play, allowing Devils to widen their gap at number six.
New Jersey Devils have two more remaining on their season schedule with the net in Detroit against Red Wings on Thursday.
New York is out for good but has no plans on going easy against Winnipeg Jets at home on the same day before a season finale on the road against Columbus Blue Jackets the following Saturday.
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