ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Ed Ward had two goals and an assist as the Atlanta Thrashers rolled to a 6-1 exhibition victory over the New Jersey Devils.

Playing at the new Philips Arena for the second time in as many days, the expansion Thrashers built a 6-0 lead after two periods.

Ward set up Andreas Karlsson's power-play goal with 4:38 left in the opening period and Sylvain Cloutier made it 2-0 just two seconds before the end of the period.

Plucked from the Calgary Flames in the expansion draft, Ward sandwiched second-period goals around tallies by veterans Kelly Buchberger and Ray Ferraro.

With Martin Brodeur sitting out, Mike Buzak and Frederic Henry each surrendered three goals as New Jersey lost for the first time in three exhibition games.

Norm Maracle went all the way for the Thrashers, stopping 20 shots but losing his shutout bid on Lyle Odelein's goal with 9:14 left.