The New Jersey Devils’ home winning streak ended at seven games after a 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Islanders at Prudential Center on Monday night. Mathew Barzal scored the game-winning goal for the Islanders just 1:17 into overtime.
Despite the defeat, the Devils managed to secure a point in the standings when Simon Nemec tied the game with only 4.7 seconds left in regulation. Head coach Sheldon Keefe commented on Nemec’s performance, saying, “Nemec has shown that when guys are hurt and an opportunity arises, he can step up and rise to the occasion. For him to shoot one in and get that big point, that’ll be big for him.”
Earlier in the third period, former Devil Kyle Palmieri gave New York a late lead with a power-play goal at 2:53 remaining. Bo Horvat contributed a goal and reached his 300th career assist during his two-point night for the Islanders.
Timo Meier opened scoring for New Jersey with a power-play goal just over two minutes into the first period. Reflecting on the team’s play, Meier said, “They did a good job of not giving up much off the rush and we played into that trap. We turned too many pucks over trying to force things off the rush instead of putting pucks behind them.”
With this result, New Jersey has now earned points in all eight home games this season (7-0-1), coming close to matching their franchise record for best home start set during the 1987-88 season.
In addition to key goals, there were notable defensive plays from Jonas Siegenthaler and Jesper Bratt late in regulation that prevented further scoring opportunities for New York.
Simon Nemec described his tying goal by saying, “I closed my eyes and tried to shoot. There’s not much you can do in the last five seconds.”
Looking ahead, the Devils will begin a five-game road trip starting in Chicago. The next game is scheduled for puck drop at 9:38 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on TNT as well as available on radio via Devils Hockey Network.
