EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Mark Parrish recorded his second career hat trick Thursday night as the New York Islanders spoiled the New Jersey Devils' home opener with a 6-4 victory.
The Islanders became the first team in NHL history to begin the season with four straight road wins.
At 4
0, New York is off to its best start since 1976-77. But no team had gone 4-0 while playing entirely on the road until the surprising Islanders and rookie coach Peter Laviolette.
Parrish tallied twice in the decisive four-goal third period, sealing the win by scoring New York's fourth power-play tally of the night into an empty net with two seconds remaining. He leads the league with eight goals after scoring 17 in 70 games last season.
Shawn Bates scored the go-ahead goal with 10:56 remaining and added an assist for the Islanders, who did not record their fourth win last season until their ninth game on Oct. 31.
Jason Arnott collected two goals and two assists on his 27th birthday for the Devils, who are off to their second 0-2-0 start in four seasons.
