In Newark, the New York Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin made 26 saves in a 3-2 win over the Devils on Sunday.
Brock Nelson had a regulation goal for the New York Islanders
A Devils goal, by PK Subban, in extra time was waved off, for offsides.
Janne Kuokkanen scored for the Devils.
“You’re thinking the game’s over and then they started to take a look at it and our video guys are calling down saying they’re pretty sure it’s offside, so it’s game-changing,” the Islanders’ Brock Nelson said. “Obviously, it gives us some life. You don’t want to take a penalty [in overtime], but the penalty kill did the job and then [Sorokin] made some big saves. They’re not always going to be pretty, but a win is a win.”
Yegor Sharangovich tied the game for the Devils in the second period, the third period was scoreless.
New Jersey is 0-10-1 in its last 11 home games.
“It’s heartbreaking; I feel for the players,” New Jersey head coach Lindy Ruff said. “They battled hard. Our goalie battled hard and made some great saves. There’s ways that we could have been better, but there’s still a lot where I feel the pain the players are going through.”
Kieffer Bellows and Nelson scored for the Isles in regulation.
“It’s obviously really exciting anytime you can string together some wins and consistently win,” Bellows said. “Every point matters and for us to come out with an extra point tonight was massive, but it’s been a blast. The guys have been real energetic, fun, but when it comes down to game time, we’re business.”
Anthony Beauvillier was credited with the deciding goal on penalties.
“After they scored on their first shot of the shootout (by Devils forward Nikita Gusev), I thought [Sorokin] really held fort after that,” New York’s head coach Barry Trotz said. “I thought that was a really huge goal by [Beauvillier] when the pressure is on. If you don’t score, game over [but] you get that goal and keep yourself alive, then ‘Wally’ getting the winner.
“Not the prettiest … it was drawn out, the longest 60-minute game we’ve had in a while, that’s for sure.”
Scott Wedgewood made 32 saves in the loss.
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