The Islanders dug out of a two-goal hole to defeat the Devils 3-2 in a shootout at Nassau Coliseum. Josh Bailey was the hero scoring in the fifth round to lead his team to a second straight win. It was also Bailey who started the comeback with his fifth after a power play expired early in the second.

”We have a lot of confidence, whether it’s in OT or shootout,” Bailey said after helping the Isles improve to 6-0 in the skill competition. ”We have a lot of guys who can put the puck in the net.”

That included energizer Matt Martin, who scored the equalizer with 9:15 left in regulation. The fourth line continues to produce. On a night they got back Casey Cizikas, he helped set up Martin’s fourth. Off a clean breakout started by Calvin de Haan, Cizikas passed for Martin who cut in on Devils rookie backup Keith Kincaid and beat him.

”We don’t change our mindset no matter who we’re playing,” Bailey said. ”With this corps, we’re trying to worry about what we have to do in here.”

After falling behind early, the Islanders showed resolve rallying for a hard fought win over a struggling rival. The Devils got off to a good start thanks to a familiar face. Scott Gomez energized them with a goal and assist in a strong first period. The two-time Stanley Cup winner with the franchise first threaded the needle for a Marek Zidlicky power play goal. He took a pass from Jaromir Jagr and perfectly set up Zidlicky for a one-time blast past Jaroslav Halak.

Then at even strength, Gomez centered a pass for Jagr that went off Islander defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky and in. Since returning to the Devils, he’s been impressive posting two goals and four assists in nine games. Amazingly, Gomez is getting big minutes while playing on the top line. The Devils got top center Travis Zajac back allowing Gomez to play on the wing with Mike Cammalleri (lower body) out. Zajac was good in his return taking four shots and winning 11 of 20 faceoffs in 28 shifts (21:05).

As usual, the problem for the Devils is they stopped scoring at 2-0 up. The Islanders responded by peppering Long Island native Kincaid with 24 shots over the next two periods. Making his second start, he was again pretty good finishing with 31 saves. But similar to his first outing which coincidentally was a 3-2 shootout loss on 12/9, his team couldn’t protect a lead. As Hasan has noted during a frustrating season, this has been a frequent occurrence under coach Pete DeBoer. With the first two coaches dismissed, is he next?

The Isles got on the board thanks to Bailey. As a power play expired, he was left all alone in front and took a Ryan Strome feed and beat Kincaid at 1:51 of the second slicing the deficit in half. Mikhail Grabovski had the other helper. Despite constant pressure, Kincaid kept the Long Island hosts at bay allowing his team to take a one-goal lead to the locker room.

Martin tied it midway through the third from Cizikas and de Haan. He’s been a solid contributor for the Isles speaking to the kind of depth they have. Coach Jack Capuano has four lines he can depend on. Even without Travis Hamonic and Johnny Boychuk, his team is never out of a game.

The Islanders were forced to kill off a selfish penalty by captain John Tavares. Responding to what he thought was an unpenalized take down by Zidlicky, he gave the Devil veteran a two-handed chop handing New Jersey a power play with 1:49 remaining. His teammates bailed him out forcing extras.

After he returned, Gomez was nabbed for tripping Bailey, who kinda sold it. To their credit, the Devils did a solid job killing it off. The Islanders were too predictable allowing Zajac to intercept a pass and get a big clear. The game went to a shootout.

The skill comp was entertaining. Following a Kincaid stop on Islander shootout ace Frans Nielsen, Halak turned aside Tuomu Ruutu. Round 2 saw Kyle Okposo and Gomez each score beauts off dekes to the backhand. After an aggressive Kincaid thwarted Tavares, Damon Severson had a chance to win it. But a sliding Halak got just enough of a perfect deke to force Round 4. Both Strome and Zidlicky were denied setting up Round 5. In it, Bailey coolly swept a forehand five-hole putting the Isles in front. DeBoer sent out Jacob Josefson. The lone Devil who had success in their one shootout win made a great move getting Halak down but somehow missed an open side.

Notes: Isles held the physical edge outhitting the Devils 31-18 paced by Matt Donovan (5) and Martin (4). Zidlicky and Jordin Tootoo each had 4 for the Devs. … With two assists, Jagr passed Steve Yzerman for seventh all-time with 1,065. He needs 15 to pass Adam Oates for sixth. … After reassigning Mike Sislo, the Devils recalled Tim Sestito from Albany. He got 16 shifts (11:04) registering a shot and two hits. … Islanders (21-10-0, 42 Pts) improved to 12-3-0 at home. Their 12 home wins lead the NHL. They’re off till Friday when they visit the Red Wings. … Devils (11-15-6, 28 Pts) fell to 8-11-2 on the road. They’re next four are at home starting with the Senators tomorrow night.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Keith Kincaid, NJD (31 saves incl. 22/24 in 2nd, 3rd)

2nd Star-Scott Gomez, NJD (2nd of season, assist, 4 SOG in 19:38)

1st Star-Josh Bailey, NYI (5th of season, shootout winner in 15:28)