In a matchup that had fans on the edge of their seats, the New York Islanders pulled off a gritty 3-2 overtime win against the New Jersey Devils on November 10 at the Prudential Center. This clash between the longtime rivals didn't disappoint, showcasing the intensity of the Metropolitan Division early in the 2025-26 NHL season.
The Devils started strong, building a 2-1 lead midway through the game with solid contributions from their young defense. Simon Nemec proved his worth by forcing overtime with a crucial goal late in regulation, keeping New Jersey's unbeaten streak at home alive until the extra period. But it was Mathew Barzal who stole the show for the Islanders, rifling home the winner just 1:17 into overtime. His quick wrist shot beat Devils goaltender Jake Allen, handing New Jersey their first home loss of the year.
Goaltending was a standout factor too. Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin continued his hot streak, making 28 saves and building on a shutout from the previous game. For the Devils, the defeat stings a bit, dropping them to 8-3-1 overall, while the Islanders improve to 6-5-2. These teams have a history of tight contests—last season alone, they split four games by a single goal each time.
As the season heats up, both squads will look to build on this intensity, but how these early rivalries shape their playoff pushes remains to be seen.
