After an impressive win over the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night, the New York Islanders failed to build on the win as they were shut out 3-0 by the New Jersey Devils on Sunday night.
ElMONT, NY -- After an impressive win over the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night, the New York Islanders failed to build on the win as they were shut out 3-0 by the New Jersey Devils on Sunday night.
Devils goalie Kaapo Kahkonen made 37 saves for his first shutout of the season. Sunday marks his first victory since Jan. 22 and his first shutout since Nov. 29, 2022.
New York came out with jump in the first period, outshooting the Devils 13-6 and earning a five-on-three opportunity, but neither team broke the ice in the opening frame.
Both teams had their share of penalty troubles. The Devils faced a five-on-three penalty kill near the mid-portion of the period but survived unscathed.
However, Bo Horvat and Cal Clutterbuck took penalties in the final three minutes.
After Horvat returned, Casey Cizikas took a hooking penalty that gave New Jersey 1:10 of two-man advantage time and 1:56 of power play time overall.
With New York down five-on-three to begin the second, the Devils made the Islanders pay. On the ensuing two-man advantage, Timo Meier buried a feed from Jack Hughes from the high slot, breaking the ice for New Jersey at the 38-second mark of the second:
The Devils added on 2:19 later after the three-man collision by the Islanders. With Noah Dobson, Horvat, and Kyle Palmieri, Timo Meier sent Hughes on a two-on-one, and Hughes beat Sorokin blocked side to make it 2-0 Devils:
With the Islanders still struggling early in the frame, the Devils worked and got one more goal on Sorokin. Simon Nemec won a puck battle along the right wing boards, allowing Alexander Holtz to find space and wire a one-time feed, making it 3-0 not even seven minutes in.
The Devils outshot the Islanders 17-10 in the period, with New York turning the puck over eight times to New Jersey's one; the Devils also tallied four takeaways in the frame.
Both teams got power play opportunities again but were unsuccessful. However, Anders Lee received a five-minute major and game misconduct for kneeing Nico Hischier, giving the Devils an advantage that ran into the opening 1:48 of the third.
The Devils were unsuccessful on the remainder of the major, but the Islanders couldn't take advantage of the successful kill. Erik Haula shoveled the puck for Chris Tierney to tally an empty net goal to seal the deal on a 4-0 New Jersey win.
UP NEXT: The Islanders head to Florida to face the Panthers on Thursday night at 7 PM.