one + one = two

Simmons, Jannace & Stagg
the Devils played a mostly veteran lineup with the exception of John Madden's checking line. As Gordon noted, their system is ingrained by now in the DNA of everyone in that organization. In contrast, he added, "We're all new here. Everything I'm talking about is new to everybody."
The first period was a tough one for the Islanders, who were limited to four shots. A miscommunication between rookie defenseman Jack Hillen and goal.tender Joey MacDonald led to a giveaway in front of the net that gave Zach Parise the Devils' first goal at 14:24 in a short-handed situation. MacDonald (19 saves) was beaten twice to the glove side on the Devils' other goals by Patrik Elias at 5:21 of the second period and by Anssi Salmela at 14:03 of the third.
The main highlight of the evening for Islanders fans were three first-period fights involving enforcers Brandon Sugden, Tim Jackman and Mitch Fritz. Sugden and Fritz won clear decisions, and Jackman was wrestled to the ice.
But that was the sideshow. The important part was the growing pains endured by young forwards Kyle Okposo, Jeff Tambellini and Frans Nielsen. They had their moments, especially Okposo, whose combination of speed and strength holds unmistakable promise. But they totaled only four shots, including two by Okposo, who was stopped on one tough drive down the slot when he went to his backhand.
Gordon said Okposo should have had more shots. "I need to shoot more," Okposo said. "I made some poor decisions with the puck. I was in the slot several times where I didn't shoot. I've got to get that cemented in my brain that I've got to shoot that puck."
It's the only way to score.
Notes"es: Gordon announced goaltender Rick Di.Pietro will work out with the team for the first time since undergoing knee surgery in June in the pregame skate Friday morning before the rematch with the Devils at the Prudential Center.