NHL: New Jersey 5, Atlanta 1

ATLANTA, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Travis Zajac touched off a three-goal opening period Friday night and the New Jersey Devils coasted to a 5-1 victory over Atlanta.

Zajac scored 4:34 into the game. John Madden and David Clarkson added goals to give the Devils a 3-0 lead after the first period.

New Jersey eventually drove Kari Lehtonen to the bench after he allowed five goals on 24 shots through the first period and a half.

Zach Parise and Brian Gionta scored in the second period for the Devils, who had an eight-game winning streak halted in their previous outing against Washington.

Colby Armstrong produced the lone goal for Atlanta, which has lost five out of six.

Kevin Weekes got the win, making 31 saves. Johan Hedberg stopped all seven shots he faced after replacing Lehtonen.

New Jersey defeated Atlanta in three of their four meetings this season.