Devils inch closer to playoffs

NEWARK, N.J. — Taylor Hall scored two goals and the Devils took a major step toward their first playoff berth since 2012 with a 4-3 victory over the Islanders on Saturday night.

Coupled with Florida’s 5-1 loss to Boston earlier in the day, the Devils opened a five-point lead over the Panthers in the race for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference and moved within a point of the idle Flyers for the top wildcard spot. Both teams have four games left in the regular season, one fewer than Florida.

Stefan Noesen and Blake Coleman each had a goal and assist as the Devils won for the seventh time in 10 games (7-2-1). Keith Kinkaid, who has started 9 of 10 games and been the mainstay in net since late January, had 27 saves, including a stop on a onetimer by Ryan Pulock with 14 seconds to play.

Tanner Fritz, Anthony Beauvillier and Chris Wagner scored for the Islanders, who have lost 16 of their past 19 (3-12-4). Thomas Greiss made 31 saves in his first game since Feb. 16, when he suffered an ankle injury and went on injured reserve.

Hall, who has carried the Devils in a career-best season, broke a 1-all tied 41 seconds into the second period with a fortuitous powerplay goal. His shot from the left boards hit off the skate of Isles defenseman Adam Pelech in front of the net and deflected past Greiss.

Hall’s 36th goal of the season was magnificent. He picked up a loose puck at his own blue line, flew up the ice into the Islanders zone then veered to his left and ripped a shot over Greiss’ left shoulder from the left circle to make it 3-1 at 9:08.