Devils inch closer to playoff berth with win against Islanders

NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Devils extended their lead for the second Eastern Conference wild card with a 4-3 win against the New York Islanders at Prudential Center on Saturday.

WATCH: [All Islanders vs. Devils highlights]
Taylor Hall scored two goals, and Stefan Noesen and Blake Coleman each had a goal and an assist for the Devils (41-28-9), who are five points ahead of the Florida Panthers for a Stanley Cup Playoff berth. New Jersey is one point behind the Philadelphia Flyers for the first wild card and trail the Columbus Blue Jackets by three points for third place in the Metropolitan Division.
"It wasn't a perfect game, but we managed to get two points and give ourselves some breathing room," Hall said.
Keith Kinkaid made 27 saves in his fifth straight start, and Will Butcher had two assists to set a Devils record for most assists by a rookie defenseman (39).
"I'm confident that nothing is going to beat me," Kinkaid said. "Obviously there are tips and bounces made during the game, but I'm trying to do my best to give the team the best shot to win."

Kinkaid (23-10-3) said he feels good enough to play the second of a back-to-back at the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday (7 p.m. ET; SN, RDS, MSG+, NHL.TV).
"Whenever they need me I'm ready to go; I just have to make sure I do the right things off the ice," he said. "It wasn't too [taxing] for me tonight; the guys did a great job in front of me."
Noesen had the last of 12 blocked shots for the Devils when he positioned himself in front of a slap shot by Ryan Pulock from the left point with nine seconds remaining.
Tanner Fritz, Anthony Beauvillier and Chris Wagner scored, and Thomas Greiss made 31 saves for the Islanders (32-37-10).

Coleman scored a shorthanded goal off a partial 2-on-1 with Mirco Mueller at 18:58 of the second period for a 4-2 lead.
Wagner scored off a deflection at 16:21 of the third period to pull the Islanders within 4-3.
Hall scored his goals in the second period to give the Devils a 3-1 lead.
"He's explosive and confident right now," Islanders coach Doug Weight said of Hall. "He's got an ability to push people back and create room for himself, and when you mix that with the confidence he has and the way the team is playing, he's built himself a great season."
Hall's first came 41 seconds into the period off a shot from wide in the left face-off circle that deflected off Adam Pelech's stick. His second came off a rush that began at his blue line before a wrist shot from the left face-off circle beat Greiss over his left shoulder at 9:08.
"I think I'm just getting my legs back from that six-game road trip (March 10-23)," Hall said. "I'm sure everyone isn't feeling in prime shape, but it was just one of those days where I felt I had some energy. Maybe a bit more than I had in the past, so it's nice to feel like that again."
Beauvillier pulled the Islanders within 3-2 when his snap shop from the right face-off circle deflected off Brian Gibbons' stick on the power play at 13:19 of the second.
Noesen tied it 1-1 at 7:54 into the first period. Fritz gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead when he scored off a rebound at 1:15.

Goal of the game

Coleman's goal at 18:58 of the second period.

Save of the game

Kinkaid's save against Jordan Eberle at 18:27 of the second period.

Highlight of the game

Hall's goal at 9:08 of the second period.

They said it

"[The Devils] are fighting for a playoff spot and are a good team. They play a fast-paced game. They get pucks behind you and are hard to contain. We had some good moments, but I don't think we played 60 minutes." -- Islanders forward Tanner Fritz
"I think we're learning how to handle things better. On Thursday (a 4-3 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins), we didn't handle it as well, but tonight were better. Those closing minutes of a one-goal game, a tight game, under pressure. Those are all things that if you handle them well and understand how you need to play in those situations and how you need to focus will help us. We've grown step by step in those areas." -- Devils coach John Hynes

Need to know

Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck did not play in the third period after sustaining an upper-body injury. Weight did not have an update after the game. ... Devils forward Kyle Palmieri left the game 5:10 into the third period after receiving a cut under his right eye from the stick blade of Devils defenseman Andy Greene. … Hall has five goals and seven assists in a seven-game point streak.

What's next

Islanders: Host the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; MSG+ 2, NBCSP+, NHL.TV)
Devils: At the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday (7 p.m. ET; SN, RDS, MSG+, NHL.TV)