Blackwood helps Devils shut out Islanders, win third straight

NEWARK, N.J. --Mackenzie Blackwood made 42 saves for his first shutout of the season, and the New Jersey Devils defeated the New York Islanders 4-0 at Prudential Center on Thursday.

"[Blackwood] just looked really comfortable to me tonight," Devils coach Lindy Ruff said. "He was under control, made some saves that were difficult. Every team needs your goaltender to help step up, win games, and he was a big part of the win tonight."
Dougie Hamilton had a goal and an assist for the Devils (7-3-2), who have won three straight and have a four-game point streak.
It was the seventh NHL shutout for Blackwood and first since a 1-0 win at the Boston Bruins on March 28. It was also his third shutout with at least 40 saves; he passed Martin Brodeur for the most in New Jersey history.
"I think our team did a good job not giving up the seam," Blackwood said. "It was a lot of straight line and same side of the ice on power play, so it kind of gives me a chance to always be in position. We're just playing with a lot of confidence and it's a lot of fun."
Ilya Sorokin made 30 saves for the Islanders (5-4-2), who are 2-1-1 in their past four games.
"There were a couple of times we were a half-step late and they were a half-step early," New York captain Anders Lee said. "Their goaltender had a great game. We know we can be better. It's picking each other up and finding a way in these tight games."

The Devils had 23 blocked shots, were 1-for-2 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
"We didn't have enough people on the rope today," Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. "Their goaltender was first star. Our goaltender was the second star, even though he gave up four goals."
Janne Kuokkanen gave the Devils a 1-0 lead with a shorthanded goal at 12:12 of the first period after Nico Hischier's shot from the left face-off circle deflected off Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom to Kuokkanen in the slot.
Blackwood made 16 saves in the first, including a stop with his left pad against Mathew Barzal on a breakaway at 1:29.
"That kind of set the tone for the night," Ruff said.
Tomas Tatar scored a power-play goal on a deflection at the right post to give the Devils a 2-0 lead at 19:10 of the second period. It was his first goal since signing with New Jersey as a free agent in the offseason.
"We want to be fast, have a fast transition, and I think that's the key," Tatar said. "We're filling lanes, and I think that's why they're successful."

Blackwood made 14 saves in the second, including against former Devils forward Kyle Palmieri in front at 14:35.
Dawson Mercer made it 3-0 at 5:46 of the third period when he took a pass from Andreas Johnsson at the New York blue line and scored on his backhand.
"Mercer's very confident with the puck. We feel very confident about what he's doing," Ruff said of the 20-year-old forward. "Some young players wouldn't dare try (what he's doing), but his ability to get in tight places, win battles, have a good stick, and work his way out has been a great asset for us."
Hamilton, who missed the previous three games with a lower-body injury, scored on a slap shot from the right face-off circle at 16:33 for the 4-0 final.
"[Hamilton] skates really well, is confident with the puck, and has a lot of poise," Blackwood said. "I think the presence that he brings on the back end, and the way he controls and puck, just really settles the team down on the power play and he gives our players a lot of confidence."
NOTES: Palmieri had four shots and was minus-3 in his first game at Prudential Center since the Devils traded him to the Islanders on April 7. He played six seasons with New Jersey. … Barzal had four shots and played 18:29 in the center's 300th NHL game. … New York played the 11th of 13 straight road games to begin the season. It faces the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday and the Florida Panthers on Tuesday before its home opener, the first game at UBS Arena, against the Calgary Flames on Nov. 20. ... Hamilton had five shots and five blocked shots. ... Defenseman Ryan Graves led the Devils with 23:06 of ice time and had four blocked shots. ... Kuokkanen's goal was New Jersey's second shorthanded goal this season, which ranks second in the NHL behind the St. Louis Blues (three).