The New Jersey Devils conclude the 2023-24 season with a record of 38-39-5 and a .494 point percentage.
The New Jersey Devils can officially end a disappointing 2023-24 season. The club's final game against the New York Islanders was played at Prudential Center in front of a sold-out crowd of 16,514. Goaltender Jake Allen made 15 saves on 19 shots for a 789 save percentage.
The Islanders scored the game's opening goal on their first shot at 12:22. Devils' defenseman Kevin Bahl pinched in to keep possession in the offensive zone, leading to a two-on-one the other way. Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored his 11th goal of the season and first since March 28. Pierre Engvall and Anders Lee were credited with the assists.
Devils' forward Chris Tierney was called for tripping against Kyle MacLean with five minutes remaining in the first period. While on the penalty kill, veteran Brendan Smith attempted to block a shot in front of Allen, but the puck deflected off him to Kyle Palmieri, who tipped the puck past New Jersey's netminder. It was his fifth goal against the Devils since his trade to the Islanders on April 7, 2021.
The Devils allowed two goals on four shots. After 20 minutes, the Islanders held a 2-0 lead despite New Jersey's 8-5 shot advantage.
In the early minutes of the second period, New Jersey got on the board. Timo Meier scored his team-leading 28th goal of the season. His linemates Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier collected the helpers.
New York regained their two-goal lead with eight minutes remaining in the middle frame. Brock Nelson scored his 33rd goal of the season after receiving the puck from Hudson Fasching.
New Jersey entered the third period trailing 3-1. The club fired ten shots at opposing goaltender Semyon Varlamov but could not get another puck past the 35-year-old.
Islanders forward Kyle MacLean scored his fourth goal of the season six minutes into the third period, securing his team's 4-1 victory over the Devils and its ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
LINES:
Timo Meier - Nico Hischier - Jesper Bratt
Alexander Holtz - Erik Haula - Dawson Mercer
Ondrej Palat - Tomas Nosek - Shane Bowers
Kurtis MacDermid - Chris Tierney - Nolan Foote
Luke Hughes - John Marino
Kevin Bahl - Brendan Smith
Jonas Siegenthaler - Simon Nemec
Jake Allen
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