NY Islanders complete season sweep of Devils; head into Olympic Break on high note

Bo Horvat scored the go-ahead goal late in the third period and the New York Islanders closed out the pre-Olympic schedule with a 3-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night at Prudential Center.

Horvat broke a 1-1 tie at 16:33 of the third period, capitalizing after losing an offensive-zone faceoff. Nico Hischier won the draw, but Horvat circled into the puck at the bottom of the left circle and lifted a backhand into the net from the slot for his team-leading goal. Horvat, who is headed to the Milano Cortina Olympics with Team Canada, also added an assist.

Mathew Barzal sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 19:36, extending his goal streak to four games. Ilya Sorokin made 23 saves as the Islanders improved to 32-21-5 and won for the fifth time in seven games.

Casey Cizikas opened the scoring at 6:30 of the second period, finishing a rebound from the slot after New Jersey goaltender Jake Allen failed to control the initial chance. The Islanders carried the 1-0 lead deep into the period, but Hischier tied the game at 18:26 with a snap shot from the right hashmarks. It was New Jersey’s first goal in two games following a shutout loss to Columbus.

Sorokin was sharp during a busy second period, stopping 11 shots, including a snap shot from Dougie Hamilton and an uncontested look from Jesper Bratt in the slot.

Allen finished with 11 saves for the Devils, who fell to 28-27-2 and have dropped five of their last six games. Newly acquired forward Nick Bjugstad made his Devils debut, recording one shot and three hits in 10:42 of ice time.

The win allowed the Islanders to head into the Olympic break on a high note, tightening their grip on a Metropolitan Division playoff spot before league play resumes later this month.