Long Islanders Turn Away Visiting New Jersey Devils

From the desks:  NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT & THE BRICK CITY STYX

THURSDAY

Devils         1

Islanders   4

FINAL

Just a couple of observations:

Mackenzie Woodman did not play, and it showed.  The Islanders edged out the Devils (35-31) in shots on goal.  Backup Scott Wedgewood, making his first start of the season and playing in only the 25th game of his spotty career, made 31 saves.  Mathew Barzal opened the scoring at the 4:43 mark, and Jordan Eberle closed out the first period with a goal at the 19:39 mark.  That stings.  All the Devils could muster was an early second period goal from Nathan Bastian.  In the third period, Jordan Eberle scored his second of the game and Brock Nelson netted the Islanders fourth goal of the game, both on the power play, both early in the period.  Said another way, the Devils were undone by penalties and several ill timed goals.

The four-line Islanders had five forwards with at least four shots on goal, and five skaters all together.  Whereas the Devils had just one forward with at least four shots.  Rather they were led by their blue-liners, six shots from P.K. Subban and five by Damon Severson.  Nikita Gusev was next in with four shots from the wing.

Newark will host Long Island when these teams meet again on Sunday.