DiPietro gets first shutout in almost 2 years, Moulson scores twice as Isles top Devils 4-0

DiPietro, Moulson lead Islanders past Devils 4-0

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Rick DiPietro made 20 saves for his first shutout in almost two years and Matt Moulson scored twice, leading the New York Islanders to a 4-0 win over the New Jersey Devils on Monday.

The resurgent Islanders have four straight wins, matching a season high. New York has won six of seven overall and will head to Pittsburgh to face the defending Stanley Cup champions on Tuesday.

It was Moulson’s third multigoal game this season. Mark Streit and Josh Bailey also had goals for the Islanders, who chased NHL career wins leader Martin Brodeur before the start of the third period.

Coming off a 31-save effort against Buffalo on Saturday, DiPietro looked sharp in making his first back-to-back starts since Oct. 25, 2008. The 28-year-old goalie earned his 15th career shutout and first since Feb. 21, 2008, against Tampa Bay.

The Islanders fired 45 shots on net and blocked 26 to take pressure off DiPietro, who made his third start after coming back from knee injuries.

Brodeur allowed four goals on 32 shots in two periods in his 33rd straight appearance. The Devils were shut out for the first time this season — the last time they failed to score was March 30, 2009, against the New York Rangers.

The Devils staggered at the close of a five-game road swing, dropping the last three after one-goal wins over the Rangers and Montreal. Still, New Jersey entered tied for the league lead in road wins.

Bailey and Moulson scored 2:23 apart in the second to build a 4-0 lead. Former Islander Yann Danis replaced Brodeur before the third period.

Moulson energized the sellout crowd on his first shift, backhanding his own rebound between Brodeur’s pads 1:07 in.

Streit ripped a shot from the right point past a screened Brodeur for a power-play goal 2:36 later. Streit has three goals in the past four games after going 26 games without one.

Jack Hillen started a rush to set up Bailey’s goal at 15:42 of the second. Devils defenseman Brian Rolston couldn’t handle a bouncing puck after Hillen’s shot was blocked. Bailey slammed it home in front of the crease.

Bailey’s goal marked his fifth in the last nine games. The Islanders scored four or more goals for the third time in four games.

Moulson capped the scoring by tipping Andy Sutton’s point shot through traffic. The goal was originally credited to Sutton before being changed.

Moulson leads the Islanders with 19 goals. His previous multigoal game was a hat trick Dec. 3 against Atlanta.

NOTES: Devils LW Patrik Elias (shoulder) didn’t play, one game after he left the ice on a stretcher following a hard check by Colorado’s Ryan Wilson. … Islanders RW Kyle Okposo got an assist on Streit’s goal to extend his points streak to six games. … Trent Hunter added two assists. … Sutton earned his 100th career assist on Moulson’s second goal. … New Jersey outscored the Islanders 8-2 combined in the first two meetings this season.