Matt Martin scored nearly three minutes into the game Thursday night for the host New York Islanders, who never faltered as they continued their lead with a 5–3 win over the New Jersey Devils at the Nassau Coliseum.
Adam Pelech later in the first, Noah Dobson and Josh Bailey scored in the second and Brock Nelson scored for the Islanders with a goal in the third, which led to a 4–0 lead, winning 7–0. -0- improved. 1 in their last 10 matches.
Goali Ilya Sorokin scored 19 goals as the islanders played their first home game in front of fans since March 7, 2020. The team welcomed 1,000 frontline health care workers.
The Devils scored goals for the Devils in the third round by Jeanne Kuokkenen, Mikhail Maltsev and Jack Hughes, who have lost 10 of 12 (2-9-1). Goalie McKenzie Blackwood recorded 29 saves.
The Islanders used traffic in front of Blackwood to their advantage in taking the first 2–0 lead. Blackwood was shown by four players – two from each team – when Martin’s shot from the front of the blue line hit his middle of his legs at just 3:15, and then when Pelech had the shot, he was also in front of the blue line. In the past, he has 10:06 left.
The Islanders expanded the lead, leading to their own goal for the Devils. Dobson was credited for the goal, with 5:55 left in the second as he was the last New York player to try to pull Damon Severson out of the crease, but accidentally fell into the net.
A turnover by Severson led to Bailey’s goal 3:08 later. Casey Czicus lifted Loose Pook after Severson lost control of a forecheck by Martin. Sizzicus drew Bailey, who fired a shot into the corner of the net.
The Devils scored twice in the interval of 80 seconds in the third second when Kuokainen countered a shot by PK Subban at the 3:23 mark, and Maltsev fired a shot from the faceoff circle in front of the screenoff Sorokin.
But the Islanders called a timeout and Nelson gave up 15:16 in the next inning. Hughes added a goal with 4:08 remaining.
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