The New York Islanders pulled off a gritty 3-2 overtime victory against the New Jersey Devils on November 10, keeping their momentum rolling on a tough road trip. It was a classic NHL showdown between these longtime rivals, with the Islanders now holding a two-game winning streak after snapping the Devils' unbeaten streak at home.
Mathew Barzal proved to be the hero once again, rifling home the game-winner just 1:23 into overtime to send the Devils' fans home disappointed. The Islanders trailed 2-1 heading into the third period, but Bo Horvat tied it up with a clutch goal late in the frame. Ilya Sorokin was stellar in net, stopping 28 of 30 shots in what marks his third straight strong outing, including a shutout just days prior. His rebound form has been a game-changer for New York's defense, which has looked shaky at times this season.
On the other side, the Devils pushed hard, with Simon Nemec forcing overtime by scoring with under two minutes left in regulation—his first goal of the year. New Jersey, sitting at 7-3-2 before the loss, couldn't quite capitalize on their early lead built by goals from Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt. This marks their first home defeat, a bump in what’s otherwise been a solid start under coach Sheldon Keefe.
The rivalry between the NY Islanders and New Jersey Devils never disappoints, blending speed, skill, and that edge of intensity. As both teams gear up for the next slate of games, one can't help but wonder how these Metropolitan Division battles will shape the playoff picture come spring.
