Credit: All About The Jersey
Devils Fall to Islanders in Disappointing Fashion Before Winter Olympics
Published: Thursday, February 5, 2026
by Ryan Fox
NEWARK, N.J. - The New Jersey Devils (28-27-2) were looking to bounce back against metropolitan rival, the New York Islanders (32-21-5), on Thursday evening after a devastating shutout against the Columbus Blue Jackets this past Tuesday, but fell once again by a score of 3-1.
Opening up the game, New Jersey sent out their Evgenii Dadonov, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt, with Dougie Hamilton and Brett Pesce following up on the blue line. It was Jake Allen's turn in the crease for this contest.
It appeared that the Islanders would see an early power play due to a delay of game call on Johnathan Kovacevic, but a coach’s challenge overturned the play and was corrected to a deflection. Both Jake Allen and Ilya Sorokin would make impressive saves throughout the period, especially Sorokin on an beautiful dangle-to-shot attempt from Paul Cotter.
The Islanders saw the first man advantage off of a high-sticking call from Timo Meier, however it was rendered unsuccessful.
In the second, New Jersey was desperately looking for an explosive second period, as they have struggled at the halfway mark most of the season. Six and a half minutes into the second, Casey Cizikas got the Islanders on the board, with Kyle MacClean and Marc Gatcomb collecting the assists.
The Devils would see their first power play of the game seconds later, but failed to capitalize on the man advantage.
Late in the second, the Devils saw an amazing chance to score, but Sorokin made an incredible save with a loose rebound that would be cleared to Jake Allen. Jake Allen then sent the puck to Jesper Bratt, where he was able to find Nico Hischier who would put it away, and finally bring New Jersey back into the game with his 19th goal of the season.
After what felt like a long, uneventful third period of play, Bo Horvat gave the Islanders a late lead. The Devils would now have just over three minutes to find a way to tie things up.
In an effort to get a late goal, Coach Sheldon Keefe waived Jake Allen over, emptying the net to for a 6-5 man advantage for New Jersey. Matt Barzal would find the open net, closing out this hockey game 3-1 in favor of New York.
This was The Devils last game before the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games. As for New Jersey, seven Devils will be competing for their respective countries. Jack Hughes for Team USA, Jesper Bratt and Jacob Markstrom for Team Sweden, while Nico Hischier, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Timo Meier for compete for Team Switzerland, and Simon Nemec for Team Slovakia.
The Devils will be back in action against the Buffalo Sabres on February 25th at 7:00 p.m. at home.
Ryan Fox can be reached at ryan.fox@student.shu.edu.Posted in: sports,