Always the discipline-demanding coach, Jacques Lemaire didn't enjoy an uncharacteristically sloppy victory by the New Jersey Devils.

In Lemaire's first appearance in Minnesota since leaving the Wild last spring, Minnesota native Jamie Langenbrunner handled the fun himself. The captain's first career hat trick made Lemaire's return a successful trip, and the Devils beat the Wild 5-3 on Saturday night.

"It's definitely been a good start to 2010 for me," Langenbrunner said.

The day after he was selected for the U.S. Olympic team, Langenbrunner got three goals for the first time in 924 NHL games. The Devils didn't play here last season, so these games in the city where he once played in Minnesota's famed state high school tournament are rare for Langenbrunner. The best part? Two busloads of friends and family members from his hometown of Cloquet traveled 2 1/2 hours to the Twin Cities to watch.

"I heard 'em a few times," he said.

The streaky Langenbrunner, who had a career-high 29 goals last season, has five of his 13 goals this season in the last four games. Teammate Brian Rolston, who rarely sees a shot he doesn't like, encouraged him to start being more aggressive.

"I think I got away from shooting it a little bit," Langenbrunner said. "When the confidence is down, you start looking to pass and not shooting."

When the night began, it was all about Lemaire, the only coach the Wild ever had until he quit after last season. He was honored with a brief video tribute before the game, looking up for a few seconds and waving to the crowd, which was announced at 19,155 _ an overflow sellout and the largest this season.

"It was nice," he said. "That I enjoyed."

Despite the win by his Eastern Conference-leading Devils, Lemaire was displeased with the performance and upset they didn't put the Wild away after taking a 2-0 lead in the heart of the second period.

"Just a bad game. No puck control," Lemaire said, praising Martin Brodeur for his steady goaltending. "We complicated the game a little too much."

After Mikko Koivu tied it at 2 in the final minute of the second period with a short-handed rebound shot of his own miss, Langenbrunner took advantage of some sloppy Wild defense in front of the crease and punched in a loose puck for the lead.

"The building was rolling and to give up that goal ... was pretty deflating," coach Todd Richards said.

Jay Pandolfo's goal with 8:25 left in the game gave New Jersey a bigger edge. With heavy traffic in front of the net Andrew Brunette was credited with his 13th goal of the season with 3:51 remaining when the puck appeared to ricochet off his head and into the net on top of his Brodeur's leg.