Matt Moulson. Photo by: Stacy Podelski

The New York Islanders (33-36-11) dropped their third straight game in the 3-1 decision against the New Jersey Devils (46-28-6) in NHL action on Tuesday. New York concluded their Atlantic Division schedule on a rough note, as the playoff bound Devils showed why they will be a tough team to face in the post season.

New Jersey now takes the season series by a final of 4-2, on the night that Isles defenseman Matt Donovan made his NHL debut with the team. Donovan led all Sound Tigers blueliner’s with 42 points (10g/32a), finished the game with 21:52 of TIC recording the first three hits of his career, while leading the team with three blocked shots.

Matt Moulson (35) added on to his Lady Bing Memorial Trophy numbers, with a tally at the 3:57 mark in the first period of play. Setting the winger up was captain Mark Streit and John Tavares. Tavares reached an Islestone in the game, as the center now has 200 points in his career.

Netting goals for the Devils were Patrik Elias, Travis Zajac and Ilya Kovalchuk; the team had a scary moment as center Jacob Josefson, who is out four-to-six weeks with a broken left wrist.

Some of the Islanders statistical leaders include Nino Niederreiter, who led the team with five hits. Moulson paced the offense with four shots, while Tavares had seven face-offs.

The Islanders will now return home to Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum for the last time this season on Thursday, when they take on the Winnipeg Jets.  The game is set to air on the MSG Plus network, with face-off set for 7:00 p.m.

Written on April 3, 2012