New York Islanders Sweep Season Series vs. New Jersey Devils

The New York Islanders took two points from New Jersey with a shootout winner from Josh Bailey. They keep that two points lead on Washington at the top of the Metropolitan Division.

The New Jersey Devils might be missing their MVP player Taylor Hall and they might be at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, but the New York Islanders needed to play a full 60 to get two points.

With a rare regulation loss against the Boston Bruins, the Islanders needed to regroup and push on.

The Barzal line has been absent since the break and the power play has been just as quiet. Against the Devils the Isles were going to try and get both going.

First Period

The New York Islanders were again slow to get into the game. Over the first-half of the first period they couldn’t connect two passes and couldn’t figure out their right foot from their right.

Five minutes into the first period Devils forward Kevin Rooney was able to get a step on Adam Pelech and shot a bullet over Greiss’ shoulder who came well out to challenge the shooter.

After taking a retaliatory penalty Mathew Barzal against Blake Coleman (who would also would go to the box) levels the scoring with a breakaway goal. Blake Coleman just forgot to pick up Barzal as the two exited the penalty box.

After one it was 1-1.

Second Period

The story of the second period was wasted opportunities on the power play. Twice the New York Islanders went to the man advantage and twice they failed to get anything going.

Going into the game the Islanders were 1-for-13 on the power play in their last three games since the All-Star break. After the second period the Isles were 1-for-16.

The Islanders could and should have been up 2-1 after second period if not for a terrible power play that continues to generate very little.

Third Period

The third period started about as well as the first period. The Islanders couldn’t control the puck and had a hard time generating any offense.

Through the entire third they generated very little. Nine shots in the third period is misleading.

The Islanders had yet another power play and yet again failed to generate anything.

Both teams seemed to play for the point with six minutes to go. Both teams would get the point as the game went to overtime.

Overtime

If not for Jesper Bratt ringing the puck off all three posts the overtime period was as boring as possible for a 3on3 overtime period.

The Islanders did their best job to lull the Devils into a mistake. The mistakes took place but the Islanders did little to capitalize on it. With no goals through the five minutes of 3on3 the game went to the shootout. Where the Islanders aren’t any good.

Shootout

The New York Islanders are absolutely terrible on the shootout. They generally do very little on the shootout typically they go right down the middle and try to go five hole.

Josh Bailey was the only one to score on the shootout to give the New York Islanders a 2-1 win over the Devils.

The Islanders weren’t particularly good on the night and didn’t capitalize on the opportunities they were given (0/4 on the power play). Having even an average power play would have given them a regulation win rather than a shootout win.

A win is a win and two points keeps the New York Islanders at the top of the Metropolitan division.

Fans of the Game

Before every single New York Islanders game we ask fans on Twitter who they think will score the Islanders first goal of the night. Its not an easy feat, but these few were able to read the tea leaves properly.

Three Stars of the Game

1. Thomas Greiss: 30 saves, 0.968SV%

Josh Bailey and Mat Barzal might have scored the goals, but Thomas Greiss won them the game. The only reason the Isles were 3/3 on the PK is because of Greiss.

2. Josh Bailey: 1 goal

Josh Bailey is Mr. Dependable in the shootout. This is now his third shootout goal in the shootout for the Islanders.

3. Corey Schneider: 27 saves, 0.964SV%

It was another goalie dual for the Islanders. Corey Schneider looked like he was back to his old self again and kept the Devils in the game.