The New Jersey Devils (28-27-2) have a loss going into the Olympic break. For the fourth time this season, they suffer defeat to the New York Islanders (32-21-5). Despite a strong effort, they had no answer for Ilya Sorokin.
Game Recap
First Period
The period had good pace, but was very low event frame from both teams. The Islanders had a sure goal, but missed an open net and slid the puck through the goal crease. The Devils finishing inability continued, seeing Dawson Mercer whiffed on a breakaway. The period ended scoreless.
The shot attempts share was relatively close, with the Islanders holding the edge 15-13. However, the Devils held the edge in shots on goal 6-2, evidence of a low-event period. The Islanders generated more quality looks, holding the expected goals share 0.82-0.49.
Second Period
The Islanders broke the ice and scored the games first goal. After Jake Allen made the initial save with his pad, the rebound redirected to Casey Cizikas, who buried the rebound to make it 1-0.
The Devils put forth quite the attack, being unafraid to create chances. Dougie Hamilton had one of the best chances of the period, pouncing on a rebound and Ilya Sorokin got over to stop it with his pad. Breakaway woes continued, as Jesper Bratt skated in on a mini breakaway and couldn’t slide it past Sorokin. Finally, the Devils broke the dam and finally lit the lamp.
Jesper Bratt fed a cross ice pass to Nico Hischier, who went top shelf over Sorokin. Huge for the Devils to tie the game and keep It that way heading to period three.
The Devils got rewarded for their efforts and were the better team in the second period. They held the edge in shots attempts 17-10 and shots on goal 11-4. The Devils dominated in scoring chances and found more success in the high-danger areas. It was much higher event, with the Devils controlling the expected goals share 1.01-0.56.
Third Period
The Devils came out flying in the third period. Connor Brown got a great chance in the middle of the slot and the Devils couldn’t bury the go-ahead goal. They kept getting their looks, but not being able to solve Sorokin came to bite them.
With under four minutes to go, the Islanders grabbed the lead. Off the draw, a mishandle by defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic led to Bo Horvat getting the loose puck. He dangled his way to the front of the net and slid the puck past Allen for the go-ahead goal.
The Islanders added the dagger with the empty net goal by Mathew Barzal to make it 3-1. And that’s how the Devils would head into the break.
Wrap Up
The Devils suffered another defeat to the Islanders, going winless against them this season. Casey Cizikas, Bo Horvat, and Mathew Barzal scored for the Islanders. Nico Hischier lit the lamp for the fourth time in his last six games, but the Devils skated away with a loss despite a showing effort.
Game Notes
- The Devils may have lost, but were the better team. The Devils controlled the expected goals share 2.5-2 and outshot the Islanders 24-14.
- Simon Nemec had a strong game. He finished with a 58.33 Corsi-for percentage, and a team-leading 86.55 expected goals-for percentage. Devils outshot the Islanders 9-3 with him on the ice.
What’s Next?
After the break, the Devils take on the Sabres on home ice February 25.