NEWARK, N.J., Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Josh Bailey scored the game's first two goals Thursday, helping send the New York Islanders to a strange 5-1 victory over New Jersey.
The Islanders got off just 14 shots in scoring their five goals and ruined the return to the New Jersey bench of Coach Jacques Lemaire.
Lemaire began his third tenure as boss of the Devils after John MacLean was fired just 33 games into his NHL coaching career. New Jersey has lost four in a row and began the game tied with the Islanders at 20 points, fewest in the league.
The Islanders won for the third time in four games after having lost 20 out of 21.
Bailey scored goals 2:30 apart early in the first period and John Tavares gave the Islanders a 3-0 lead after one period.
Dwayne Roloson stopped 34 shots and allowed only a second-period goal to Travis Zajac. New Jersey's Martin Brodeur stayed in goal for the entire game and wound up making a mere nine saves.
