1. Sean Bergenheim became the first Islander to record a hat trick since Bill Guerin on October 18, 2007 in Washington, when he scored into an empty net in the final second of the Isles' 7-3 win. It was the first hat trick of his career, and gives him 14 goals on the season.
2. For the fourth straight game, an Islander made his debut. Mike Iggulden had played one game with San Jose last season, but made his first appearance for the Isles, recording 2 assists.
3. The Islanders scored 7 goals for the first time this season (6 on Marty Brodeur in 2 periods --the first time he's been beaten six times in a game since October, 2006). They last tallied seven on December 3, 2006 at Madison Square Garden, and hadn't scored 7 at home since October 25, 2003 - a 7-2 win over Pittsburgh that featured Bergenheim's first NHL goal. It had been nearly 16 years since the Isles scored seven against the Devils -- they last did it on April 16, 1993. Brodeur spent that season with the Utica Devils; over the next month the Isles would win playoff series from Washington and Pittsburgh.
...and a few more...
4. Offensive heroes were everywhere. Radek Martinek, Kyle Okposo, Jeff Tambellini and Blake Comeau had the other Isles goals. Tambellini, who has two goals in three games, also added an assist.
5. Even in a blowout win, there was another Isles injury. Trent Hunter broke his left ankle in a collision with Bobby Holik. His season is over.
6. The Devils win the season series 4 games to 2; the Isles outscored NJ 11-3 over the final two games.
7. The kids shall lead them: two points each for Hillen, Iggulden, Tambellini and Bailey.
8. Joey MacDonald made 35 saves to pick up the victory for the Isles.
9. Even the power play worked for the Isles; after going 0-18 in the last five games the Isles scored on both of the power play chances.
10. Up next: The Coyotes make only their second appearance since 2002 at the Coliseum as the Isles look to split the season series with Phoenix. Face-off on Sunday is at 3:00.
Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since 1982.
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