Islanders show maturity after blown lead, stun Devils at home

The New York Islanders pulled out their grittiest win of the season, getting a 3-2 overtime win at the Prudential Center over the New Jersey Devils on Monday night.

Beyond the Isles getting their second-straight win, it was the way they did it. The game was tied at one late in the third period when a Kyle Palmieri power play goal made it 2-1.

Two things to focus on there. First, the go-ahead goal came on the power play. It was fantastic to see the Islanders’ power play come through, particularly at such a critical juncture. Second, the Isles hung tough the entire night as the Devils tried to push for the win.

While the Devils tied the game with about five seconds to go in the third, the Islanders didn’t crumble. They came back in overtime to pull out the win on Mathew Barzal’s fourth of the season.

Here’s a look at the goal as shown on the Islanders' official X account:

The play nearly ended in disaster as the Devils almost forced a turnover. Instead, Barzal picked up the puck and played tic-tac-toe with Jonathan Drouin for the winner.

In previous years, the Isles would have caved after giving up the lead so late in the game. But that was in the past. On Monday night, the Islanders roared back and stunned the Devils on home ice.

The win shows the Islanders aren’t quite ready to punt on this season.

Islanders hand Devils first home loss of the season

Beyond the evident New York Islanders’ win, Monday night’s victory represented the New Jersey Devils’ first home loss of the season. Entering the game, the Devils were 7-0-0 at home this season.

While the loss is technically an “overtime” loss for the Devils, it is their first home defeat nonetheless. The stunning goal by Barzal left the Prudential Center in utter silence. The crowd erupted following the game-tying goal.

The Devils remain tied with the Carolina Hurricanes with 22 points in the Metro Division. The Pittsburgh Penguins trail them by one point, while the Isles move up to tie the Philadelphia Flyers with 18 points.

The logjam in the Metro continues as the New York Rangers won their game against the Nashville Predators. The Rangers' first home win also moved them up, tying the Isles and Flyers with 18 points.

The Islanders will look to continue rolling as they head off on a five-game road trip. Their next matchup will be on Thursday night as they take on the Vegas Golden Knights. That matchup will be another major test the Isles can use to continue building on their success this season.