Islanders need a statement game, and got it against Devils

The New York Islanders needed a statement to punctuate their resurgent season. They got it on Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils.

A solid win would have sufficed to prove the Islanders are for real. But the Isles didn’t just win a 4-1 or 5-0 game. They absolutely demolished the Devils, despite New Jersey’s best efforts to win that game.

The 9-0 annihilation emphatically proved the Islanders are the real deal this season. Sure, the Isles have had their ups and downs this season. But it was Tuesday night’s game that showed the Islanders are not messing around.

Yes, the Isles were outshot 44-24. But that’s what made this game even worse for the Devils. They peppered Ilya Sorokin all night long. The Devils, nonetheless, were unable to get through. Sorokin stymied New Jersey with several big saves.

Conversely, Jacob Markstrom got shelled. He surrendered nine goals on just 24 shots. At least three were soft goals that an average NHL goalie would have stopped. But Markstrom didn’t. He was left out there to bear the brunt of the Devils’ reluctance to play defense.

The Islanders, meanwhile, made the Devils pay at every turn. On Tuesday night, the execution came courtesy of Anthony Duclair. The beleaguered Isles’ forward had the game of his career. Duclair notched a hat-trick and five points to bury the Devils.

But it wasn’t just Duclair who got a much-needed boost. Casey Cizikas had two goals and three points. Tony DeAngelo also notched three points. Meanwhile, Matthew Schaefer had a “quiet” night, registering one assist.

Schaefer’s quiet night on the scoresheet didn’t mean he took the game off. Schaefer kept on trucking. Frankly, Schaefer makes it seem like there are five extra guys on the ice when he’s on. Here’s everywhere in the offensive zone, and still manages to get back in time to play defense.

All told, the Islanders had an unbelievable night. Too bad for Devils’ fans who had to endure the pounding. But for Isles’ fans, Tuesday night’s performance leaves little doubt the Islanders are here to stay.

The next step is to build on the momentum created over the last couple of games and translate that into consistent success for the remainder of the season.