The New Jersey Devils may have slim playoff hopes but are determined to make the most of the season.
Nico Hischier scored the decisive goal early in the third period, leading the Devils to a 2-1 win over the New York Islanders on Thursday night, marking their third consecutive victory.
“We’re playing with confidence and making plays,” Hischier said. “From the first guy to the last, everyone is contributing.”
P.K. Subban also found the back of the net, and Mackenzie Blackwood made 29 saves as the Devils improved to 6-2-1 over their last nine games.
Hischier extended his point streak to four games with the go-ahead goal at 1:09 of the third period. The Swiss forward gained possession in the face-off circle and drove to the net, skillfully switching from backhand to forehand to give New Jersey the 2-1 lead.
“I saw an opening, so I went for it,” Hischier said about his game-winning goal.
Brock Nelson scored the lone goal for the Islanders, and Semyon Varlamov stopped 29 shots as New York dropped its fourth straight game at Nassau Coliseum.
“We strayed from what we do best,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. “We were solid for the first 30 minutes but stopped doing what worked for us. We need to stay focused on our game plan and keep possession, and we didn’t do that consistently tonight.”
Nelson gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead with a wrist shot past Blackwood at 7:33 into the second period. During a 4-on-4 play, Nelson charged up the ice and used a screen from a Devils defender to his advantage, scoring with assists from Ryan Pulock and Derick Brassard.
Anders Lee had a chance to extend the Islanders’ lead after receiving a cross-ice pass from 19-year-old defenseman Noah Dobson, but Blackwood made a crucial sliding pad save.
“Those are the kind of saves you need to win games,” Devils coach Alain Nasreddine said. “It keeps the game close, and Blackwood delivers those saves for us right now.”
Subban tied the game with a powerful slap shot that beat Varlamov with 1:27 remaining in the second period. Nikita Gusev earned the primary assist, extending his point streak to five games. It was Subban’s fourth goal of the season and his second since November 2.
Travis Zajac tied Kirk Muller for third place on the Devils’ all-time points list, with the secondary assist on Subban’s goal marking his 520th career point. New Jersey drafted Zajac in the first round of the 2004 NHL Draft.
The Islanders thought they had taken the lead early in the second period when Leo Komarov scored on a rebound. Still, the goal was overturned after the Devils successfully challenged for goaltender interference. Komarov remains goalless since January 20 of last year.
“It was a big call,” Nasreddine said of his first challenge as head coach. “We took our time to review it, and while it wasn’t 100 percent certain, it was close enough to challenge. It could have been a game-changer.”
Game Notes:
Islanders D Adam Pelech missed the game with a lower-body injury. … New York D Scott Mayfield played his 200th NHL game. … The Islanders recorded 52 wins in the 2019 calendar year, tying the franchise record for most wins in a single calendar year (1978 & 1982). … New York scratched F Michael Dal Colle. … Devils F Jack Hughes, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, missed the game with an upper-body injury. … New Jersey scratched D Connor Carrick.
UP NEXT:
- Islanders: Visit Toronto on Saturday.
- Devils: Host Colorado on Saturday.
