The New York Islanders pulled off a gritty comeback against their rivals, the New Jersey Devils, in a game that had fans on the edge of their seats. On Sunday night at the Prudential Center, the Islanders overcame a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 in overtime, handing the Devils their first home loss of the season.
Mathew Barzal proved to be the hero once again, slipping the puck past New Jersey's netminder just 1:17 into the extra frame to secure the victory. It was a much-needed boost for the Islanders, who have been finding their rhythm under coach Patrick Roy. Bo Horvat chipped in with his 300th NHL assist on the night, while Ryan Pulock moved into seventh place on the Islanders' all-time defensemen scoring list, surpassing Jean Potvin.
For the Devils, the loss stings after a strong start to the campaign, but their young core showed flashes of brilliance. Ilya Sorokin, still riding high from his first shutout earlier in the week, made 28 saves to keep the Islanders in the fight. This matchup, always intense in the Metropolitan Division, highlights the fierce rivalry between these New Jersey neighbors—both teams pushing for playoff spots in a competitive NHL landscape.
As the season heats up, one can't help but wonder how these battles will shape the standings come spring.
