Islanders end skid with shutout over Devils

NEWARK (AP) -- Jaroslav Halak made 26 saves in his return to the lineup, and the New York Islanders snapped a season-high, four-game losing streak with a 3-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night.

Recently benched Ryan Strome scored a goal and set up another by Travis Hamonic as the Islanders posted a much-needed win in their bid to catch the Rangers in the Metropolitan Division. Kyle Okposo added an empty-net goal with 38 seconds left.

Halak, who missed the Islanders' previous game with a lower-body injury, was outstanding in recording his fifth shutout of the season.

Strome, a healthy scratch two games earlier, scored in the first period for his first goal in nine games. Hamonic added his in the third after a power play ended.

Cory Schneider had 27 saves for the Devils, whose three-game winning streak was snapped.

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