Palat scores two goals for Devils in win against Islanders

ELMONT, N.Y. --Ondrej Palat scored two goals for the New Jersey Devils in a 4-1 win against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Thursday.

Nico Hischier had a goal and two assists, and Jack Hughes scored for New Jersey (2-2-0), which has won its past two games. Mackenzie Blackwood made 16 saves.
"Everybody's just starting to gel together," Devils coach Lindy Ruff said. "Everything is coming together, and it takes a little (time). … I think we found some stuff that works."
Anders Lee scored for New York (2-2-0), which completed a four-game homestand. Ilya Sorokin made 39 saves.
"It was extremely, extremely disappointing," Islanders coach Lane Lambert said. "We had been trending up. We had done a lot of good things in the last couple games, but tonight was a tough night for everyone."

New York did not get its first shot of the game until Noah Dobson's slap shot was stopped by Blackwood with 3:07 left in the first period.
The Devils outshot the Islanders 13-3 in the first.
"We did a good job of diminishing their chances, using our feet, and not taking stupid penalties," Blackwood said. "So, I think the way we played really helped keep us in good defensive position and then (we kept) being relentless on the offense."

Hughes gave the Devils a 1-0 lead at 1:35 of the second period when he scored on a backhand.
Palat made it 2-0 at 8:09 at the edge of the left face-off circle after a turnover by Brock Nelson behind the Islanders net, then gave New Jersey a 3-0 lead on a one-timer from Hischier at 15:28 of the third period.
"We're going to score," Palat said. "We have the talent. This is the way we have to play."

Lee ended Blackwood's shutout at 16:44 to make it 3-1, but Hischier scored an empty-net goal with 35 seconds left for the 4-1 final.
Sorokin made 18 saves in the third.
"He was obviously our best player and I thought he played very, very well," Lambert said. " … I wasn't happy with the compete level."
NOTES: Devils forward Jesper Bratt had two assists. … New Jersey played 11 forwards and seven defensemen. … New York killed three penalties and is 15-for-15 on the kill to start the season. … The Devils were 2-for-2 on the penalty kill and have only allowed one power-play goal in 13 situations. … Lee played his 600th NHL game, all with the Islanders.