Mathew Barzal scored with less than five minutes remaining in the third period, securing a 3-2 victory for the New York Islanders over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.
Josh Bailey and Adam Pelech also found the net for the Islanders, while Zach Parise contributed two assists. Last-place New York extended its point streak to five games (4-0-1). Ilya Sorokin made 30 saves, earning his ninth win of the season.
“It’s huge,” Barzal said. “Everyone knows where we’re at in the standings. We have a lot of games in hand, we have to start winning hockey games. … It was a good team win.”
Yegor Sharangovich and Nathan Bastian scored for New Jersey, which has lost three of its last four games. Jon Gillies made 22 saves in his first start since Dec. 19.
Lane Lambert coached the Islanders as Barry Trotz was in COVID-19 protocol. Brock Nelson returned after missing the previous two games.
Andreas Johnsson, Sharangovich, and Pavel Zacha rejoined the Devils’ lineup earlier this week after being cleared from COVID-19 protocols.
Barzal broke a 2-2 tie with a one-time shot from the slot at 15:07 of the third period, thanks to Bailey’s perfect setup.
“It’s been a challenging first 20-something game for us as a group,” Parise said. “Now, we are close to getting a full lineup back. … We are playing some good hockey, finding different ways to win. Special teams are coming together. We are getting back to that stingy hockey we are comfortable playing.”
Bastian tied the game at 2 by deflecting Ty Smith’s shot from the point during a power play at 10:25 of the third period.
“We had plenty of opportunities to get the tying goal,” Devils coach Lindy Ruff said. “We played the right way.”
Sharangovich opened the scoring midway through the first period, extending his goal-scoring streak to four games.
“I think we played well, skated well,” Bastian said. “We were right there until the last second. It would have been nice to get a point.”
ALL-STAR NOMINATIONS
Before the game, Devils forwards Jack Hughes and Pelech were named NHL All-Stars. They will represent the Metropolitan Division on Feb. 4-5 in Las Vegas. Islanders forward Mathew Barzal and Devils forward Jesper Bratt are on the ballot for the “Last Men In” competition, where fans vote for the final four skaters from a list of 32 candidates.
EMERGENCY BACKUP
Kyle Shapiro, 28, served as an emergency backup goalie for the Devils with Mackenzie Blackwood and Akira Schmid in COVID-19 protocols. Shapiro played NCAA Division III hockey at the University of Southern Maine and New England College and is an assistant coach with the New Jersey Titans of the North American Hockey League. He became the fourth emergency goalie to join an NHL team this season.
INJURY UPDATES
Islanders forward Kyle Palmieri participated in the morning skate but has not been activated from injured reserve. Defenseman Ryan Pulock has started skating on his own after sustaining a lower-body injury in mid-November but was placed in COVID-19 protocol earlier this week.
SCHEDULING QUIRKS
The Islanders have played just four games since mid-December due to eight coronavirus-related postponements. However, New York will be busy with 10 games in the next 19 days, including nine home games.
UP NEXT
- Islanders: Host Washington on Saturday afternoon.
- Devils: Host Arizona on Wednesday.
