Islanders: What was the best game in the 2021-22 season?

12/11/2021 vs the New Jersey Devils

How can we talk about some of the best games of the season without mentioning the Islanders' first win at UBS Arena? Okay so it took them seven tries to do it, but when they finally secured the first win, it was special.

The New Jersey Devils outplayed the Islanders in the first frame, despite the shots even at 10 on each side, leading 2-1 after 20 minutes. The next 20 minutes were all about the former Devils cashing in against their former club. Andy Greene tied things up at 8:33 of the second period. Mathew Barzal drew two defenders, dropped the puck behind him off the boards where Greene picked it up at the top right circle, and fired the puck past Akira Schmid over his pad and below the blocker.

Eight minutes on the dot later, Zach Parise gives the Islanders a 3-2 lead on the penalty kill, scoring his first goal of the season and first goal as an Islander 23 games into the season. It was an outstanding play by J.G. Pageau shorthanded, winning a puck battle and springing Parise for a breakaway. What made it even more special was how things came full circle for the Parise family. Parise's father, J.P., is a former Islander and to have Zach wearing the orange and blue in the first place is just special. The goal coming against his former club in their first trip to the Islanders' new arena was a fun touch, especially because it was the eventual game-winning goal.

Pageau wrapped things up in the third period adding an insurance marker for the Islanders halfway through the final frame. The first win at UBS Arena is a memorable one and is fairly in consideration for the best game of the season for the Islanders, but it falls just short of what's ahead.