In improving to 3-2-1, the Islanders had four different scorers. Casey Cizikas scored his first career NHL goal. Michael Grabner beat Marc-Andre Fleury on a breakaway for his fourth. He’s off to a good start following an up and down sophomore campaign. John Tavares and Matt Moulson also tallied with each doing their damage on the power play. Frans Nielsen added two helpers.

The Isles built a 4-0 lead over the Pens. Only a Pascal Dupuis marker with over a minute left spoiled a shutout for Evgeni Nabokov (37 saves). Entering the final game of a five-game road trip, they’re 2-1-1 with wins over the Leafs and Pens. Their only loss in regulation during that span was to Boston. Dating back to a 4-3 win over Tampa Bay on 1/21, the Islanders have scored four-or-more goals in four of five. They’ll put that on the line against a team that owns them.

The Devils are coming off back-to-back defeats. Both came after regulation with the Habs prevailing in overtime and the Bruins winning in a shootout following hot dog gate. They still haven’t lost in regulation, carrying a 3-0-2 record into tonight’s contest.

Minus Zach Parise, they’ve moved on. Ilya Kovalchuk is the offensive leader, registering five points (2-3-5) including an exciting OT winner on a Marek Zidlicky feed. In a contract year, David Clarkson is proving that last season wasn’t a fluke. His four goals and seven points are tied for the club lead with ageless wonder Patrik Elias. Elias just went over 900 points for his career, continuing to add to his franchise record all spent in New Jersey.

Zidlicky has four assists and Travis Zajac has two goals. Of course, the Devils can rely on Martin Brodeur, who continues to defy logic. At 40, he’s off to a 3-0-1 start with a 1.69 GAA, .932 save percentage and one shutout (NHL record 120). Whatever Marty did during the lockout, it worked. He made 18 saves in the Devils’ 2-1 win over the Islanders in the season opener for both teams (1/19).

Brodeur’s backup Johan Hedberg is no Spring chicken either. He’ll turn 40 this Spring. In his first start, he made 27 saves against the Bruins- allowing a tying goal to early Masterton candidate Nathan Horton. Brad Marchand scored the shootout winner.

Brodeur should be back in. With the Islanders having a day off, figure Nabokov to get the call. They’ll be without Colin McDonald, who was suspended two games for boarding Ben Lovejoy. They also lost Jesse Joensuu to hernia surgery. What would an Islander season be without injuries? At least their core is still intact.

The Islanders and Devils meet again Sunday at Nassau Coliseum. 

Henrique Returns: Adam Henrique makes his season debut tonight for the Devils. The 2012 playoff hero is set to return after missing the team’s first five games.

The New Jersey Devils just tweeted the update. Great news for them. They’ve now got their top two centers set. It’ll be interesting to see how Henrique does in his second year.

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