Denis Potvin drops the puck between Patrik Elias and John Tavares.
Kathy Kmonicek/AP Photo Getty Images

With another legend in the house, the Islanders put on a good show. Before a sold out Nassau Coliseum, they held off the Devils 3-1 in front of legendary former captain Denis Potvin. The all-time great defenseman who led the franchise to four consecutive Cups and an NHL record 19 straight series wins was on hand. Similar to Billy Smith last week, he led the Isles onto the ice.

When you have success, everything works. So far, so good for the Islanders who improved to 17-7-0 after winning for the sixth time in their last seven. After controlling most of the first two periods, they sat back and allowed the Devils to form a shooting gallery around Jaroslav Halak. After hardly having to sweat, the Isles’ number one goalie swatted away 16 Devil shots en route to his ninth win in a row. That included a tense 5-on-3 where New Jersey coach Pete DeBoer elected not to pull Cory Schneider. They probably could’ve used a third extra man the way Halak saw the puck.

”I’m not thinking of how many games I’ve won in the past,” said Halak after making 34 saves. ”I’m only as good as my last game.”

”He’s been unbelievable,” teammate Casey Cizikas said after scoring into an open net and also setting up the game-winner. ”He’s kept us in games and he was such a huge part of the win.”

The Islanders are getting contributions from everyone. That included the fourth line centered by Cizikas. With the game tied early in the second, Islander coach Jack Capuano sent out his fourth line for an offensive draw. Going against logic, the strategy paid off when defenseman Calvin de Haan had his shot carom off Cal Clutterbuck in front putting the Isles ahead 2-1.

Both teams entered off losses on Black Friday. The Islanders had a five-game win streak snapped at Washington while the Devils blew a three-goal lead in a shootout defeat to Detroit. New Jersey was also without top two centers Travis Zajac and Adam Henrique, who sustained injuries. After struggling early, they battled hard but ultimately fell short against a hot rival.

”We played better in the second and third periods, but we didn’t get the result, and that’s what matters,” Schneider said after finishing with 25 saves including several big ones when his team was under siege. ”We gave them everything we had down the stretch. Sometimes, you just don’t get the bounce to tie things up.

”We played well, but it’s a results-based business, and we’re not getting the results.”

For the majority of the first, it was mostly Islanders. They came out aggressive using their speed and forecheck to pin the Devils in deep. New Jersey spent long stretches in their end but only were victimized once due to Schneider. Ironically, it was a Kyle Okposo shot he mishandled that led to Nikolay Kulemin rebounding home his fifth for the game’s first goal. John Tavares picked up the secondary helper.

”I thought I had it,” Schneider said. ”I didn’t know it got past me.”

The Devils responded well thanks to a strong shift from Adam Larsson. The much maligned former first round pick played a solid game. It was his right point shot that Damien Brunner redirected past Halak to tie it 1:47 later. Michael Ryder drew the other assist.

Clutterbuck parked himself in front of Schneider and had good fortune when de Haan’s shot bounced off him and in at 3:32 of the second. He was in the right spot. Schneider had no chance. Originally credited to de Haan, the goal was changed after the second. Some penalty trouble for the Isles gave the Devils momentum. Even though they were unable to score, it allowed them to tilt the ice.

By the third, it was all Devils. Jaromir Jagr and Mike Cammalleri created chances and rookie Damon Severson pinched along with Larsson. They certainly got their looks but couldn’t solve Halak or a stingy Islander defense that blocked 26 shots. According to the Isles’ broadcast, the Devils attempted 24 shots. Sixteen got through and another eight didn’t. Severson had their best chance but Halak slid across to deny him.

The Devils got a two-man advantage when de Haan hooked down Jagr with 2:04 left. They passed the puck around too much and went for the perfect play instead of shooting. It resulted in sliding Islander penalty killers anticipating one-timers from Patrik Elias and Cammalleri. Not once did it ever look like they’d score. Eventually, Schneider went to the bench after the two-man advantage concluded. Strong work from Thomas Hickey allowed Frans Nielsen to come out with Cizikas, who sealed it.

”When we had to contain, we did,” Capuano said. ”We have a different attitude, and it showed. From top to bottom, we know we’re not going to lose.”

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Adam Larsson, Devils (assist, 5 SOG in 26 shifts incl. 14:32 even strength, 5:05 SH)

2nd Star-Cal Clutterbuck, Islanders (GWG-3rd of season, 3 SOG, 2 PIM, +1 in 10:29)

1st Star-Jaroslav Halak, Islanders (34 saves incl. 16/16 in 3rd-9th straight win)