In Elmont, the New York Islanders trailed after the first 20 minutes, 1-2 to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.
The Isles scored three straight goals to get their first win in the UBS Arena, 4-2.
“I’ll give the fans credit for the win because they stuck with us through the whole game, they stuck with us through the last six or seven (home) games,” New York head coach Barry Trotz said. “I was sitting in the office here and you could hear the thunder of the fans in the locker room, in the coaches room. That’s fantastic. That’s why the Islander fans are special.
“We’re going to dig ourselves out of this and try to make some noise. But we’re going to need them, and they were a big part of it tonight, and I want to thank them for sure.”
Ilya Sorokin made 30 saves for the maiden win in Elmont.
Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes scored for New Jersey.
New Jersey dropped to 10-11-5, and have lost six of their seven games.
Bratt gave New Jersey a 1-0 lead in the opening period, but Noah Dobson replied with a power play goal for the Isles.
“We’ve talked a lot about getting off to a good start,” New Jersey head coach Lindy Ruff said. “We got out of the gates, got the first goal, ended up making it 2-1. I really feel that we get the third one, we’ve got them in a lot tougher place where they have to play probably a game they don’t like playing.”
The Islanders’ Andy Greene and Zach Parise scored in the middle frame to give New York a 3-2 lead.
“Really, there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him, what he did for me as a person and as a player,” Parise said. “I had a good feeling coming to the rink today for whatever reason, just knowing his birthday. I had a good feeling all day, so for me it was pretty emotional. When that puck went in, of course my mind goes right to him and what he did for me as a person and as a player.”
New York’s Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored in the third period for the 4-2 final.
“Obviously, they’re both important players,” Ruff said. “Every team has had to deal with this. We’re going to have to deal with it. We’ll find out where everything is at in the next couple of days, but again, we have to find players within our roster to pick up the slack and help us win hockey games.”
Akira Schmid made 25 saves in the New Jersey loss.
“Great experience, but obviously I would’ve (preferred) to come out with a win than a loss,” Schmid said. “But just good to get that information about how it’s played in the NHL, that you’re ready or that at least could play here.”
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