Skip to main content
Eyes On Isles
Fansided

Everything goes right for NY Islanders in 6-0 home opener rout of NJ Devils

ByJiggs Westfall
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
Oct 3, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders left wing Ondrej Palat (81) celebrates his goal against the New Jersey Devils with center Casey Cizikas (53) during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Oct 3, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders left wing Ondrej Palat (81) celebrates his goal against the New Jersey Devils with center Casey Cizikas (53) during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Some nights, everything goes right. And then there are nights like Saturday at UBS Arena, when seemingly nothing could go wrong. For the New York Islanders, it was about as close to perfection as you can get.

After struggling to generate offense throughout the preseason and in Wednesday's opening loss to Toronto, the Islanders erupted for six goals in a 6-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Ilya Sorokin stopped all 37 shots he faced for his 30th career shutout, while Victor Eklund celebrated his 20th birthday by scoring his first NHL goal.

Not a bad way to introduce yourself to the home crowd.

The Islanders broke through in the second period when Simon Holmstrom finished a feed from Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Brayden Schenn doubled the lead just 88 seconds later, and Bo Horvat converted a Matthew Schaefer setup on the power play to make it 3-0.

Then came the third-period celebration.

Eklund buried a feed from Cal Ritchie for his first NHL goal, Ondrej Palat scored 42 seconds later, and Casey Cizikas completed the rout with a short-handed breakaway goal.

The Islanders also killed all five New Jersey power plays, providing another encouraging sign that Pete DeBoer's system is beginning to take hold. For DeBoer, the biggest reward wasn't necessarily the score. It was seeing three weeks of work finally translate into results.

"I think it was an important win," DeBoer said, explaining that early success helps players believe in what they're being asked to do.

And there was plenty to believe in Saturday.

Six different goal scorers. A birthday milestone for Eklund. Two assists apiece from Schaefer and newcomer Logan Stanley. And Sorokin looking every bit like one of the NHL's elite goaltenders.

One game doesn't define a season. But after an offseason filled with questions about the Islanders' offense and their adjustment to a new system, Saturday provided some real optimism to build off of moving forward and into Tuesday night's game against the New York Rangers.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Home/NY Islanders News