The New Jersey Devils‘ season is essentially over.
Despite doubling their shot total over the New York Islanders in 60 minutes, they dropped the final game before the Olympic break 3-1.
New Jersey won an early challenge when Johnathan Kovacevic sent a puck from the defensive zone over the glass.
The officials initially ruled the play a delay of game. However, Kovacevic insisted Sheldon Keefe challenge the penalty on a deflection, and the Devils won the decision which negated an eary Islanders opportunity.
New Jersey largely controlled the puck possession from there, yet the first period ended with no score and a Devils 6-2 shot advantage.
Yet, 6:30 into the second period, the Islanders took a 1-0 lead to open the scoring.
A failed clearing attempt by the Devils was intercepted on the far wall in New Jersey’s zone. Marc Gatcomb threw the puck from the right circle toward Jake Allen and Casey Cizikas picked up the loose puck at the top of the crease to give the Islanders the first lead of the game.
New Jersey laid heavy on the offense, however, Ilya Sorokin stood strong with a bit of luck keeping the puck out of the Islanders goal.
However, the Devils finally evened the score about 12 minutes later thanks to the captain.
After the Islanders trickled the puck from the neutral zone toward Allen, the Devils goaltender found Jesper Bratt at the Islanders blueline. Bratt gained the zone with the puck on his stick and Nico Hischier flanking his right. As the Devils forwards created separation and pushed the defenders lower in the zone, Bratt fed Hischier for a chance in the right circle, and he tied the game at one.
The Devils and Islanders played scoreless third period for 16.5 minutes. Yet, the Islanders took the lead on a goal scored by Bo Horvat unassisted at 16:33 of the final frame.
Mathew Barzal hit the empty net with 23 seconds remaining in the third, and sealed a 3-1 victory for the Islanders.
