UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) -- This season, the New York Islanders are taking care of home-ice advantage.
Jason Blake and Oleg Kvasha scored first-period goals as the Islanders continued their strong home start with a 4-1 victory over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
Mariusz Czerkawski continued his own hot start with two assists, helping the Islanders to their fourth win in five tries at the Nassau Coliseum. Last season, they lost six of their first home games.
"Confidence is rising a little bit," said Czerkawski, who has 12 points in 10 games.
Blake helped the Isles recover from their first home loss by opening the scoring 4:20 into the contest. Kvasha made it 2-0 with a power-play goal with 3:26 left in the period.
Trent Hunter added a goal and an assist and defenseman Adrian Aucoin collected two assists for New York.
"We knew going in that we had to skate and work hard," Islanders coach Steve Stirling said. "We played pretty well."
Rob Niedermayer scored on the power play in the second period for Anaheim, which fell to 2-1-0 on a six-game road trip.
Playing the opener of a four-game homestand, the Islanders broke on top early.
Hunter unleashed a shot from the point and the puck caromed off the end boards to Blake at the left side of the net, where he banked a shot off the leg of goaltender Martin Gerber for his fourth goal of the season.
"I saw him cheat a little bit," Blake said.
With Niedermayer in the penalty box for interference, Kvasha extended the Isles' lead by beating Gerber with a backhander.
The Islanders scored on two of their five shots in the first period.
Czerkawski, who returned to New York as a free agent in the offseason, set up Alexei Yashin's fourth goal 4:50 into the second period to extend the lead and chase Gerber.
"We create a lot of chances, we have to continue to play well and produce to build some confidence," Czerkawski said of playing on a line with Yashin.
Gerber was making his fourth straight start in place of Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jean-Sebastien Giguere. He had allowed just three goals in his previous four contests.
Giguere played well in relief, stopping 11 of 12 shots. He allowed Hunter's third goal of the season two minutes into the third period.
"It's not easy, but I have to be ready," said Giguere, who signed a four-year, $19.5 million contract in the offseason. "That is the backup's job. I have to stay focused and concentrate."
Niedermayer produced the Ducks' only offense late in the second period with his third goal.
Rick DiPietro made 17 saves for the Isles, ending a personal two-game losing streak.
