New York Islanders Hold Off Devils In OT (Highlights)

The New York Islanders were able to hold off the New Jersey Devils as they escape from the Prudential Center with a 4-3 overtime victory.

After the Rangers ended their Metropolitan Division winning streak, the New York Islanders were back at it for an afternoon game today against the New Jersey Devils. The Devils had their hockey fights cancer night, so obviously it was an emotional day for Brian Boyle and family too.

Early in the game, the New York Islanders took an interference penalty. When the Islanders penalty kill came out onto the ice Leo Komarov had a brain fart and sent the puck all the way down the ice and out of play for a delay of game. I don’t think I’ve seen a mistake that bad since Mathew Barzal played the puck in the penalty box.

The Islanders would have to kill off over 1:50 seconds of a 5-on-3. Somehow, the PK managed and from that moment on the rest of the period belonged to the Islanders.

At 7:24 Jordan Eberle netted his sixth of the year from Anthony Beauvillier to give the Islanders the lead.

The Isles left the first period with a 1-0 lead and most of the momentum on their side. In period two, the Devils came alive. After controlling play for the first 10 minutes of the period New Jersey finally found the back of the net courtesy of Taylor Hall.

Although, the tie game didn’t last long. Anders Lee netted his seventh of the year, thanks to Valtteri Filppula and Scott Mayfield. The goal was Lee’s second even-strength goal and a much-needed boost for Anders who went a little quiet with the scoring touch.

After two, the Isles held a 2-1 lead.

Early in the third who else but Brian Boyle ties the game for the Devils. It was almost too fitting for Boyle who has been through so much in the last year to score on the Devils hockey fights cancer night.

For another 10 minutes the score would remain tied until vintage, Nick Leddy came out to play.

Leddy turned on the jets and was able to go coast to coast for that goal for his first of the year. The Islanders need Nick Leddy to play like this every night, as it looked like 2015 Nick Leddy skating around on that goal.

It appeared the Islanders would coast to a 3-2 victory, but Marcus Johanson had other ideas. At the 19:49 mark of the period he tied up the game at three after the Islanders missed numerous attempts at the empty net.

In overtime, the Islanders controlled play for nearly the entire time. At the 3:40 who else but Mathew Barzal on the breakaway to end it for the Islanders.

It was a much-needed win as the Islanders move to 8-1 against the Metropolitan Division and now sit two points out of a wild-card spot. The Islanders defense allowed 42 shots, which is a ton, but the offense was able to produce 35 of their own too, and capitalize on four of them.

Again, the Islanders power play was atrocious and remains one of the biggest issues with this team going forward. A win is a win and they go back at it tomorrow night against the Carolina Hurricanes.