In Newark, Semyon Varlamov made 28 saves as the New York Islanders handed the New Jersey Devils a 2-1 loss on Tuesday night.
Semyon Varalamov got the win for the New York Islanders
“Both goalies have been outstanding for us all year so far,” the Islanders’ Nick Leddy said. “We expect that.”
Miles Wood spoiled Varlamov’s shutout bid with his goal with 15 seconds left in regulation.
“They’re great in the [defensive] zone and they clog up the neutral zone very well,” Wood said. “But we knew it was going to be a low-scoring game and we had to stay calm. It wasn’t a race to score the first goal, it was the first team to crack. And, unfortunately, we cracked first.
“It was a tough loss, but we have to learn to play in those tight games. That’s a playoff team and we just have to learn from it
New York improved to 12-6-2.
“I thought we had pretty good poise; I didn’t think we had a lot of energy tonight,” Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said. “I think the games piled up on us emotionally; three games in four nights. I thought our first period was fine and we really didn’t give them anything.
“The second period really took its toll and it took everybody out of a rhythm, but our penalty killers were really strong and a couple of big saves from ‘Varly.’ We got through that [second] period and I thought we responded in the third period.”
The game was scoreless until Oliver Wahlstrom scored at 1:10 of the third period for a 1-0 lead to the Islanders.
“Coming into this year, I just got a fell in love with the details of my game … the little details,” Wahlstrom said. “I feel like that’s helping me more, bringing more enjoyment to the game and I’m thinking less about production and just focusing on little details.”
New Jersey dropped to 7-9-2.
The Devils have lost six of seven, they were scoreless in four power play chances.
“That was our opportunity, the quick 5-on-3,” Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said. “I thought a couple of power plays, [we] moved it around quick. … There was a couple of times we didn’t get the bounce we wanted. We didn’t find the hole, but it was probably the difference in the game.”
The Isles’ Anders Lee made it 2-0 at 7:51 of the third.
“It was one of those games that felt a little stagnant at times and I think we just really stuck with it and tried to get to our game in the third period,” Lee said. “[Wahlstrom] is feeling it. I think he’s a shooter that can bury the puck from anywhere and he’s got some range. ‘Wally’s’ just done a phenomenal job of stepping in, each night, building his 
game. It just creates confidence and then you start putting a couple in and it rolls from there.”
Aaron Dell made 18 saves in the loss.
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