On Sunday, jean-Gabriel Pageau and Cory Schneider were pivotal in the New York Islanders’ victory over the New Jersey Devils. Pageau scored three goals and added an assist, while Schneider made 27 saves in his first NHL game in over two years, leading the Islanders to a 4-3 win and extending their winning streak to a season-high four games.
Schneider, who last played in the NHL on March 6, 2020, was grateful for the opportunity.
“It’s easy to take the league for granted when you’re young and you’re playing a lot, and things can change quickly,” said Schneider, who had been playing in the AHL. “Life in general, not just in hockey. So always be grateful for the chances you get. My teammates worked really hard tonight to make my first game back.”
The 36-year-old goaltender was called up from Bridgeport of the AHL last month, with Ilya Sorokin sidelined and Semyon Varlamov needing a break.
Pageau’s three goals came at crucial moments, starting the scoring with the game’s first three goals.
“I got a few bounces tonight and was in the right spot when the puck landed on my stick,” said Pageau. “Our line has been doing a really good job in the past few games, getting some goals.”
Linemate Kyle Palmieri added New York’s other goal and two assists, and defenseman Adam Pelech matched his career best with three assists. The Islanders are 11-3-1 in their last 14 games.
Islanders coach Barry Trotz revealed he didn’t inform Schneider about starting until Saturday.
“Everybody’s really happy for him, and it doesn’t surprise me if you know Schneider. He’s got a lot of good qualities,” Trotz said. “He’s a hockey guy, a great human, has a real good work ethic, and there’s zero ego, which is very refreshing.”
Jesper Boqvist, Tomas Tatar, and Nico Hischier scored for the Devils, who have lost three straight. Nico Daws made 25 saves.
Devils coach Lindy Ruff said his team was affected by their previous game’s disappointment, where they blew a four-goal lead and lost to Florida in overtime.
“I thought we were really flat in the first period,” Ruff said. “Maybe we were having a pity party from the night before and didn’t have too much going on.”
The Devils played most of the final two periods without Jack Hughes and defenseman P.K. Subban. Hughes sustained a leg injury early in the second period when Oliver Wahlstrom checked along the boards. Subban received a game misconduct shortly after for fighting Wahlstrom.
Ruff had no update on Hughes or forward Nathan Bastian, who also left with a lower-body injury.
Pageau, who hadn’t scored in 13 games, started the scoring with a breakaway goal at 11:56 of the first period and added a power-play goal just over two minutes later. He completed his hat trick at 14:58 of the second period on a Pelech setup.
Boqvist scored for the Devils, tipping Damon Severson’s point shot past Schneider. Tatar closed the gap to one goal at 5:32. Palmieri restored the Islanders’ two-goal lead with 5:07 left in regulation, and Hischier scored with 1:06 left and the Devils’ net empty. The Devils had a late chance to tie it but couldn’t convert.
UP NEXT:
- Islanders: On Tuesday, they travel to Dallas for the third game of a five-game road trip.
- Devils: They host the Rangers on Tuesday night.
