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Newark, NJ – Since snapping a nine-game goalless streak Tuesday, Ilya Kovalchuk appears to be on his way toward starting one in the other direction.

Following his stellar two-point effort in the team’s decisive 4-1 victory against the Rangers Tuesday, Kovalchuk delivered yet another dominant performance Thursday, scoring three goals to record his 13th career hat trick and boost the Devils over the Isles 5-1.

“I got here to score goals and make plays for my team, try to make my team win,” Kovalchuk said. “That’s what I’m doing and right now we feel very comfortable.”

Kovalchuk opened scoring for the Devils for the tenth time this season – burying his own rebound against goaltender Evgeni Nabokov at 8:07 of the first – and went on to notch a goal in each of the remaining two periods as well.

After one-timing a shot from the left circle for a power-play goal at 3:33 of the second, Kovalchuk fired one from the slot in the third for his team-leading 29th of the season and second hat trick in three weeks.

Kovalchuk’s 13 career hat tricks ties him with Rangers sniper Marian Gaborik for third among all active NHL players.

“He’s got the puck all over the ice, defensive zone, offensive zone, neutral zone, he creates things out there, he wants the puck,” said rookie Adam Henrique, who chipped in with two assists. “He’s a game-changer.”

Parise also added two helpers, picking up primary assists on two of Kovalchuk’s goals, including his third of the night to shut the door on the Islanders at 8:09 of the third.

“Any time your linemate gets his second one, you’ve got to do whatever you can to get him the third. He found himself in good spots tonight and we were able to get him the puck. Some great shots…world-class shots,” said Parise, who recorded his 400th NHL point Thursday. “He was really good tonight.”

With four goals in the past two games, the Devils have their top player performing at his peak. And if this is the beginning of a new skein, they’ll be glad to ride it out with 15 games remaining.

Next up is the Islanders --the two teams' third meeting in six days – in Uniondale on Saturday. Will his streak continue?

“Let’s not talk about it,” Kovalchuk said. “We’ll see Saturday.”

Recap | Box score | Photos

What it means: Ilya Kovalchuk has single-handedly boosted the Devils to two straight wins with brilliant back-to-back performances against two of New Jersey's most hated division rivals. Following up on Tuesday's dominant two-point performance that led the Devils past the Rangers 4-1, Kovalchuk recorded his second hat trick in three weeks with three goals in the team's 5-1 victory against the Islanders. The 28-year-old sniper, who halted a nine-game goalless streak Tuesday, is tied with Marian Gaborik for third among active NHL players with 13 career hat tricks. Patrik Elias and David Clarkson also scored for the Devils while defenseman Marek Zidlicky, Zach Parise and Adam Henrique chipped in with two assists apiece.

New streak: Following his nine-game drought, Kovalchuk has tallied four times in the past two games. Burying his own rebound, Kovalchuk gave the Devils a 1-0 lead at 8:07 in the first, then one-timed a shot from the left circle for a power-play goal at 3:33 in the second. Kovalchuk notched his third of the night for his team-leading 29th of the season.

Knuckle-puck: Islanders defenseman Andrew MacDonald sent a fluttering puck from beneath the goal line and banked it off goaltender Martin Brodeur to cut the Devils’ lead in half, 2-1, at 16:21 of the second period. It was the first goal scored by an Islanders defenseman in 13 games.

Nilsson next time? : Perhaps Islanders coach Jack Capuano will go back to goaltender Anders Nilsson when the Islanders host the Devils on Saturday. The rookie netminder made 24 saves to record his first NHL shutout against the Devils Sunday, but backed up Evgeni Nabokov Thursday. Nabokov has given up 12 goals combined in his last three starts.

Surprising scratch: Islanders’ Michael Grabner was a healthy scratch for the first time this season. The 24-year-old winger, who has scored only one goal in the past 19 games, has struggled to replicate the success of his 34-goal rookie campaign. The former Calder Trophy finalist has 15 goals and 10 assists through 67 games this season.

Up Next: Devils @ Islanders, Saturday at 7 p.m.

At a glance: The Devils look to avenge Sunday’s embarrassing 1-0 loss to the Islanders as they host New York for the second of three meetings in one week. Riding high on a decisive 4-1 win against the Rangers Tuesday, the Devils hope to catch the fifth-place Flyers in the Eastern Conference standings while the Islanders try to extend their winning streak to three games.

Pony up: Alexei Ponikarovsky returns to the lineup after missing the past three games with a sprained knee. The 31-year-old winger was missed in the teams’ last meeting. Said coach Pete DeBoer: “He’s exactly the identity of a player that does the things we missed the other night.”

Grabner scratched: Struggling to match the production of his 34-goal rookie campaign, Michael Grabner will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season. The 24-year-old winger, who was a Calder Trophy finalist last season, has only 15 goals this season and only one in the last 19 games. Grabner also missed the last two games with the flu.

Nabokov not Nilsson: Although it was rookie netminder Anders Nilsson that blanked the Devils Sunday, Islanders coach Jack Capuano will start Evgeni Nabokov in goal instead. The 36-year-old netminder has given up seven goals combined in his last two starts.

Hot hand: Settling in on the right wing, Josh Bailey has tallied four goals in as many games. The natural center has moved up to play on the Islanders second line with pivot Frans Nielsen and Swedish winger David Ullstrom.

Three straight: Thursday’s match is the second of three straight games in which the Islanders face the Devils over the course of six days. The two teams also square off Saturday at Nassau Coliseum.

Familiar foes: The Devils are amidst a six-game stretch all against Atlantic Division opponents. New Jersey is currently in fourth place behind the Rangers, Penguins and Flyers.

After missing three games with a sprained right knee, Devils winger Alexei Ponikarovsky is set to return Thursday against the Islanders.

The 31-year-old, who was acquired by the Devils in January, said he exercised caution instead of rushing back from injury, a choice he hopes will pay dividends assuming the team make the playoffs.

"You don't want to get too cocky about it. You have to look at the big picture," Ponikarovsky said. "Playoffs are coming up and you want to pace yourself with the injures to make sure everything's okay."

According to coach Pete DeBoer, Ponikarovsky was one of the players sorely missed in the Devils' embarrassing 1-0 loss to the Islanders on Sunday, a game in which New Jersey lost battles and lacked desperation.

"He's exactly the identity of the player that does the things we missed the other night," DeBoer said.

Last Sunday's 1-0 loss on Long Island didn't sit well with the Devils. Shutout by rookie netminder Anders Nilsson, the team dropped their fourth straight game against the lowly Islanders.

The Devils get a second crack at them Thursday in the teams' second of three meetings this week; they hope the game serves as a chance to avenge the embarrassing defeat.

New Jersey is coming off a spirited 4-1 win against the Rangers Tuesday while the Islanders aim to record their third straight.

Martin Brodeur will be in goal for the Devils, although it is unclear if Nilsson will return to face New Jersey again after recording his first NHL shutout four days ago.

If he is, the Devils hope to make it more difficult than the last time.

'We didn't make him make a challenging save all night," Parise told The Newark Star-Ledger Wednesday. "We have to take some more action to him."

Called up just hours before Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Brad Mills has been sent back to Albany (AHL).

The 28-year-old center was summoned as insurance for Zach Parise, but Parise played despite a sore left hand. Mills was a healthy scratch in New Jersey's 4-1 win.

Mills has three goals, nine assists and 65 penalty minutes for the Albany Devils this season.

Coach Pete DeBoer warned Cam Janssen, advising his fourth-line tough guy NOT to engage with the much-bigger Rangers enforcer across ice.

But Janssen spurned his coach's pleas and obliged the 6-8, 260-pound John Scott's invitation to fight.

The two players dropped the gloves at 12:32 of the first, giving fans a heavyweight bout to witness.

"We all know how tough he is, how fearless he is, but boy, that's a big man he was going with," DeBoer said after the game.

Janssen, who had fought Scott twice before while both were playing in the Western Conference, knew he'd likely be pursued by him Tuesday. And after an exchange that was broken up by officials before the game, Janssen accepted Scott's challenge with the Devils leading 1-0 in the first.

"He was definitely going to be coming after me, and at first, we were up by a goal, but enough was enough," he said. "He was egging me pretty good and maybe if I dont fight him there, he goes out and hits somebody and fights someone that doesn't need to be fighting. So, I'll take one for the team. Absolutely, no doubt about it."

Was the 6-0, 215-pound Janssen daunted by the hulking brawler?

"He's scary looking for sure," Janssen admitted, "but it calms everything down a bit. If you watch the last game against the Rangers and this one, there was a big difference. We countered everything and played hard, didn't back down and that's what we're made of, really. "That's our mindset for these games, really. Just go all out and stick up for your teammates, make sure everyone's on the same page, and that's what we did."

Ryan Carter was at least one player among the group of Devils angered by Brandon Dubinsky's comments last week directed toward teammate David Clarkson.

Following the Rangers' 2-0 win against New Jersey last Monday, Dubinsky ripped Clarkson for his selectivity in fighting. After fighting Clarkson during the game Dubinsky told reporters that Clarkson "seems to turn away at the tougher guys," and "say 'No' a lot," when asked to answer the bell.

Those words resonated with the Devils and Carter stepped in on Clarkson's behalf early in the first, dropping the gloves against Dubinsky 3:03 into play. Dubinsky suffered a hand injury during the fight and did not return to the game.

"I don't think the two games were too happy with how the other handled the situation," Carter said. "Talking to [Clarkson] I think there were some comments made that probably didn't need to be made. I don't know if he wanted to play that type of game again tonight. I saw him give [Eric] Boulton a slash in the leg and we kind of went from there."

Clarkson declined to address Dubinsky's comments but clearly appreciated both Carter's willingness to step up as well as Cam Janssen's. Janssen squared off against the Rangers hulking enforcer John Scott later in the first.

"That's another reason we won tonight. We didn't back down," said Clarkson, who notched his 26th goal of the season during the third. "Like I've said before, people want fighting out of the game, but that's the reason right there. Those two aren't fighting for themselves or for fun, they're doing it for the front of the jersey and to me that's the best thing you can do."

Carter's contributions went beyond his fists, however. The gritty fourth-liner also scored his third goal of the season, burying a pass from linemate Jacob Josefson to beat Lundqvist for a 3-1 Devils' lead at 4:21 of the third.

"He's doing it all," said Ilya Kovalchuk. "Fighting, scoring, killing penalties."

Said coach Pete DeBoer:

"He came to play tonight and gave us, I thought, some really great depth contributions."

Newark, N.J. – It took Ilya Kovalchuk only 49 seconds to snap a nine-game scoreless streak and ignite the Devils in New Jersey’s 4-1 win over the Rangers Tuesday.

The 28-year-old forward dominated virtually every shift he took, outshining the league-leading Rangers and fueling New Jersey to knock off their rivals in a much-needed bounceback game.

Following Sunday’s listless 1-0 shutout loss to the Islanders, Kovalchuk tallied his 26th of the season on a breakaway less than a minute into play.

Defenseman Mark Fayne forced a turnover at the red line and captain Zach Parise fed Kovalchuk for an early 1-0 lead against the Rangers.

Before the night was over, Kovalchuk chipped in with an assist on Ryan Carter’s third-period marker to seal the win against the Devils’ Atlantic Division rivals.

“From the first goal on the first shift right through the end of the game I thought he was the best player on the ice,” said coach Pete DeBoer, “and that’s what we need out of him.”

Goaltender Martin Brodeur, who made 25 saves to out-duel Rangers nemtinder Henrik Lundqvist, said Kovalchuk’s intensity level was palpable from the start.

He appeared revved up by the rivalry, Brodeur said.

“Tonight, you could see how pumped up he was to play the Rangers,” Brodeur said. “I think he’s taking this rivalry in stride. He’s going to be here a long time. He’s got to learn how to hate them a little bit. You could see how pumped up he was for the game and it showed the way he played.”

Concurrent with the team’s struggled – the Devils entered Tuesday’s match having dropped five of their previous six games – Kovalchuk has been limited of late.

Before his first-period strike Tuesday, the Russian sniper had been held without a goal since recording a hat trick February 14 in the team’s 4-1 win against Buffalo.

Kovalchuk said he was heartened by the chances he was still able to create during the drought, but admitted his relief in finally breaking through with the Eastern Conference standings so tight and only a month left to play.

“It was a big game for us. We weren’t sharp against the Islanders. This is a big rivalry, obviously, and we were desperate for the points,” he said.

With Tuesday's win, the Devils pulled within two points of the 5th place Flyers in the East and put a dent – albeit small – on the Rangers’ sizeable division lead.

Brodeur, who called Kovalchuk “a big horse,” said his ability to log hefty minutes and dominate play should help the Devils should the team reach the post-season.

“If we get into the playoffs, I think it will be to our benefit to have a guy that can take charge of the game,” he said.

His abilities can take opponents by surprise. Sometimes even his own teammates, too.

“He’s a world-class player and he’s playing to it right now,” said Carter, who finished with a goal and an assist. “Sometimes you sit on the bench and catch yourself watching as a fan. He’s a good player --entertaining --and the kind of guy you want wearing the same jersey you wear.”

Recap | Box score | Photos

What it means: A dominant effort by Ilya Kovalchuk and a trio of third-period goals by the Devils allowed New Jersey to knock off the Rangers 4-1 at Prudential Center Tuesday. Less than two minutes after David Clarkson gave New Jersey a 2-1 lead at 2:27 of the third, Ryan Carter buried a pass from linemate Jacob Josefson to give the Devils an insurance goal 4:21 into play. Alternate captain Patrik Elias notched an empty-netter with less than two minutes remaining as the Devils bounced back from Sunday's dispiriting 1-0 loss to the Islanders.

New Jersey entered Tuesday's match against their Atlantic Division rivals having dropped five of their previous six games, including a 2-0 shutout defeat to the Blueshirts at Madison Square Garden last Monday.

Captain returns: After missing three games with a bruised right foot suffered in the Rangers last game against New jersey, captain Ryan Callahan returned to the lineup Tuesday. Callahan sustained the injury while blocking Ilya Kovalchuk’s shot in the Rangers’ 2-0 win over New Jersey on trade deadline day February 27. Devils captain Zach Parise also played, despite a sore left hand that required him to undergo an MRI Monday.

Quick strike: Kovalchuk scored his 26th of the season to give the Devils an early lead Tuesday. Devils defenseman Mark Fayne forced a Rangers turnover at the red line and Parise found Kovalchuk on a break 49 seconds into play. Kovalchuk also picked up a secondary assist on Carter's third-period marker.

Step by step: Second-year center Derek Stepan scored his second goal in as many games and has recorded five points in the last four. After tallying the game-winner against Boston Sunday, the 21-year-old tied the game at 1 with a one-timer from the slot at 6:56 of the second Tuesday.

Fighting words: Scratching forward John Mitchell in favor of hulking enforcer John Scott was a pretty clear indication of the type of game John Tortorella expected and his assessment was correct. Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Carter were the first to fight, dropping the gloves 3:03 into play. Newly-acquired Scott recorded his first fight as a Ranger since being traded by the Blackhawks at the deadline, squaring off against Devils heavyweight Cam Janssen later in the period.

The Rangers have accrued five fighting majors in the first period of the past two games. After Sunday’s 4-3 OT win against the Bruins, in which there were three bouts in the first 15:38, the Rangers racked up two more Tuesday against their Atlantic Division rivals.

Dubinsky injured: Rangers forward Brandon Dubinsky was forced from the game with a hand injury after a first-period fight with New Jersey’s Ryan Carter. Dubinsky and Carter dropped the gloves 3:03 into play and the 25-year-old forward did not return for the remainder of the game.

At a glance: Losers in five of their last six games, the Devils host the league-leading Rangers in the teams' second meeting in eight days. Trailing the Rangers by 14 points in the standings, New Jersey aims to cut the lead following last Monday's 2-0 shutout loss at Madison Square Garden.

Marquee Matchup: Tuesday will be the 34th regular season game in which elite goaltenders Martin Brodeur and Henrik Lundqvist compete head-to-head. Lundqvist holds the edge against Brodeur, posting a 22-6-5 record during that span, with a 1.72 goals against average, .936 save percentage and five shutouts.

On the mend: The Rangers will return their captain Ryan Callahan, who missed the past three games with a bruised right foot. Callahan's Devils' counterpart, Zach Parise, will also play Tuesday, despite a sore left hand. Devils defenseman Andy Greene, who was a late scratch for Sunday’s 1-0 loss to the Islanders after suffering back spasms, is a game-time decision while forward Alexei Ponikarovsky (right knee) will sit out his second straight game.

Warning call: Devils winger David Clarkson received a warning call following his hit against Brandon Dubinsky last Monday. Clarkson left his feet to make contact and received a charging penalty on the play. Clarkson and Dubinsky also received five minutes for fighting after the play. Dainius Zubrus also received a similar call for his elbow on Rangers rookie Carl Hagelin.

Lineup change: Steve Eminger will replace defenseman Anton Stralman in the lineup, playing for the first time since February 21. Struggling since returning from a shoulder injury earlier this season, Eminger has sat six straight. Assuming Callahan plays, John Scott will join Stralman and defenseman Jeff Woywitka as the Rangers’ healthy scratches.

Blanked: The Devils were shut out twice in the span of one week against Atlantic Division foes following the Feb. 27 trade deadline. After being blanked by the Rangers 2-0 just hours after the deadline passed, the Devils were held without a goal by rookie netminder Anders Nilsson Sunday on Long Island.

Late addition: The Devils recalled C Brad Mills from Albany (AHL) just hours before the game. This will be the third stint for Mills, who has one assist and 32 penalty minutes in 27 games for the Devils this season. Fourth-line forward Cam Janssen is the likely scratch.

Zach Parise is one of several players on the Devils' long list of the hobbled, but said he was "fine" to play Tuesday against the Rangers.

Parise said he was relieved that a recent MRI on his left hand revealed no broken bones.

"It was in the back of my mind," he admitted.

The 27-year-old captain, who missed almost the entirety of last season with a knee injury, said he'd have a hard time missing an inter-division game against the Rangers.

"I think everyone's hurt, one way or another," he said. "Everyone's sore. That's just how it is in March."

• • •

Injured winger Alexei Ponikarovsky (knee) took part in the Devils' morning skate but will not play Tuesday against the Rangers.

A recent MRI showed no structural damage to Ponikarovsky, just a "minor sprain, nothing serious," but the 31-year-old forward said he will need extra time to practice before returning to the lineup.

• • •

Defenseman Andy Greene, who was a late scratch after suffering back spasms before the Devils' 1-0 shutout loss to the Islanders Sunday, will be a game-time decision. Coach Pete DeBoer said Greene will take pre-game warmups before the team decides his availability.

The Devils and Rangers clash for the second time in eight days, this time at Newark's Prudential Center.

Losers in five of their last six games, New Jersey hosts the league-leading Blueshirts after suffering a 2-0 shutout to New York last Monday.

The Devils, coming off their second shutout loss in one week after Sunday's 1-0 blanking by the Islanders, are looking to put a dent in the Rangers' whopping 14-point margin in the Atlantic Division.

New Jersey is sixth in the East with 77 points but fourth in the division, trailing the Rangers, Penguins and Flyers.

Resurrecting his NHL career with New Jersey this season, Petr Sykora is set to play in his 1,000th game Sunday when the Islanders host the Devils at Nassau Coliseum.

The 35-year-old veteran, a first round pick by New Jersey in 1995, is only the third player in Devils' franchise history to reach the milestone.

Sykora, who made the team as a training camp tryout, has 15 goals and 19 assists in 64 games this season with the Devils.

Captain Zach Parise recorded a hat trick in the Devils' 5-0 rout of the Capitals in and, although he left the game after a hard hit in the second period, appears to be okay.

After recording his 27th goal of the season and third of the night, Parise was crunched between two players in a hard hit that forced him from the game. Parise returned in the third period -- albeit for only one power-play shift -- and told reporters after the game he was just briefly "shaken up" after Brooks' Laich's stick struck him in the jaw.

The 27-year-old tallied twice in the first to give New Jersey a 2-0 lead over the struggling Capitals and notched the third on a snapshot at 3:08 of the second period.

With the decisive win over Washington, the Devils snapped a four-game losing streak; the team secured a point but fell in overtime to Boston 4-3 Thursday.

Goaltender Johan Hedberg made 23 saves to post his third shutout of the season and his first win since February 4.