Slapshot Game Preview: New York Islanders vs. New Jersey Devils

Slapshot Preview is designed to highlight three important elements of the Isles' next game in a quick-hitting fashion.

New Jersey Devils at New York Islanders
11/7/26
7 PM

SHOT #1: The New-New Jersey Devils

In their game Thursday night against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Islanders showed fight, but problems the team is well-acquainted with, such as struggling on the power play, were too much to overcome.

The Isles will look to get back in the win column against a new version of the New Jersey Devils.

The Devils come into the contest with a new look, having acquired three-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck.

The move is already paying off for the Devils.

In addition to his 4-0 start with New Jersey, Hellebuyck has seemingly been the catalyst for team-wide improvement. Since announcing the trade, the Devils have a record of 5-1-0. This serves as an example of the kind of spark that can result from a roster investment the magnitude of a Connor Hellebuyck addition.

In their last ten games, New Jersey is 8-2, propelling them to fifth in the Eastern Conference with 22 points.

If Hellebuyck gets the start on Saturday, the Isles will have to deal with one of the game's elite goaltenders. 

Even if he doesn't get the start, New Jersey comes into UBS Arena a much different and much-improved team.

SHOT #2: Keep the Good Jersey Vibes Going

Saturday will give the Isles a chance to keep the good Jersey vibes going. This is not a reference to the new Hometown Remix jerseys.

It is instead a reference to the Isles' recent success against the Devils, compiling an 8-2 record in the last ten matchups between the two teams.

That was then, and this is now, however.

In their last ten games, the Devils are averaging four goals and giving up only 2.5 goals per game.

This is of particular note to the Islanders, as they are 7-2-0 in games in which they score at least three goals.

Unsurprisingly, New Jersey has found a lot of its success thanks to Jack Hughes. The center leads the team with 21 points, made up of 8 goals and 13 assists.

The Devils are interesting on the power play. When they allow teams to play with a man advantage, their penalty kill is the fourth-worst in the NHL. But the Devils lead the NHL in limiting opponents' power-play opportunities.

It would be easy to say this simply means the Isles need to get power-play opportunities. That's true, but for a team that is inconsistent, at best, with a man advantage, the Islanders need to cash in on their power-play opportunities.

Regardless of recent records when playing the Devils, the Islanders will see a new-look New Jersey team on the Island.

SHOT #3: Making Hay in the Metro

Having just seen the Hurricanes, the Islanders can attest to the strength at the top of the Metro Division.

While Carolina currently holds a six-game lead in the division, the Devils find themselves as the second-best team in the Metro.

Catching the Hurricanes is going to be a herculean task, so keeping pace with the Devils is going to be paramount to any hopes the Islanders have of finishing near the top of the Metro.

With an admittedly small sample size, the Islanders hold a 1-2-0 record when playing teams in their own division. Getting to .500 in division games play would certainly be a step in the right direction for a team that has lost its last two games in regulation.

The Devils aren't the only team in the Metro with elite goaltending. Should the Isles start Ilya Sorokin in net, the Devils will need to contend with one of the NHL's best netminders.

Sorokin is off to a solid start to the 2026-2027 NHL season. His 2.41 GAA and .911 save percentage are both good for 10th in the NHL. The Isles' netminder's last two outings resulted in 4 goals against the Oilers and 3 against the Wild.

Saturday will be a battle between the Islanders' recent success against the Devils and a New Jersey team that comes to the Island on a hot streak.

Making the most of the power-play opportunities they get figures to be a key to a potential Islanders victory.

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