The New York Islanders delivered a timely response Tuesday night, earning a 2-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils to snap a three-game losing streak and head into the NHL’s holiday break with momentum restored.
Adam Pelech scored the decisive goal with 1:15 remaining in regulation, capping a steady, disciplined effort from an Islanders team that leaned on structure, patience and timely execution. Simon Holmstrom also scored, while David Rittich turned aside 28 shots in another strong performance between the pipes.
New Jersey struck first late in the opening period when Brett Pesce scored his first goal of the season, but the Islanders stayed composed and gradually tilted the ice back in their favor. Rittich was sharp throughout, most notably midway through the second period when he denied Jack Hughes on a breakaway to keep the deficit at one.
The equalizer came at 7:50 of the second period after a rare mistake from Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom. Markstrom left his crease to play the puck, but a miscommunication with his defense allowed Holmstrom to collect it and tuck the puck into an open net, evening the score and reigniting the Islanders’ bench.
With the game tight late in the third, the Islanders’ leadership came through. Captain Anders Lee drove play and delivered a cross-ice feed to Holmstrom for a one-timer that missed wide, but Pelech jumped into the play and buried the rebound to give New York its first lead of the night.
The Islanders closed out the final minute with poise, limiting New Jersey’s chances and sealing a much-needed win. The result provided a positive sendoff into the holiday pause and a reminder of the Islanders’ ability to grind out results when games tighten late.
After the three-day break, the Islanders will host the New York Rangers on Saturday night.