The Islanders surely will play better games ahead with Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac now in their lineup.
But style points are not important in the standings, just points. So, the dual debuts of the ex-Devils wound up successful.
The sluggish Islanders managed to move into sole possession of first place in the East Division by two points when Brock Nelson's shootout goal in the fifth round gave the Isles 3-2 win over the Flyers on Thursday night before a sell-out crowd of 1,400 at Nassau Coliseum.
"We found a way to get it to overtime and get the two points," said Jordan Eberle, who helped the Islanders build an early two-goal lead in the first period.