Islanders 9-0 Defeat of Devils
Written By Gina Anton
ELMONT, N.Y. – In what will go down as one of the most overwhelmingly dominant performances of the season, the New York Islanders delivered a night of offense, defense, and precision that obliterated the New Jersey Devils 9-0 at UBS Arena on Tuesday. What started as a promising rivalry game quickly turned into a statement victory, one that saw the Islanders fire on all cylinders from the opening puck drop to the final buzzer.
Anthony Duclair, back in the lineup after being a healthy scratch in the previous two games, was nothing short of phenomenal. In just his fourth career NHL hat trick, Duclair scored three goals and added two assists, finishing with a career-high five points in a single game. This became his first hat trick since 2019.
In typical Duclair fashion, his scoring came in bursts that deflated any hope of a Devils comeback, with his first two goals in the first period and his third in the second sealing the deal.
Duclair’s five-point night wasn’t just about momentum. With the Islanders currently standing 8th in the league and the Devils in 19th, fans were reminded that the Islanders are still very much in the running for the cup.
While Duclair’s offensive eruption stole the headlines, Ilya Sorokin delivered a masterpiece in net. Making his first start since December 19 following a lower-body injury, Sorokin didn’t just return, but he set a franchise record. The veteran goaltender stopped all 44 shots he faced, earning his 26th career shutout, the most in Islanders history.
Sorokin’s poise was remarkable. Devils forwards peppered him with chances all night, but he refused to yield, turning away everything from long-range blasts to frantic second-chance opportunities. His performance wasn’t just dominant but a message to the league that he was back.
Although Duclair and Sorokin anchored the victory, the Islanders’ depth showed in every frame:
Mathew Barzal opened the scoring just 1:08 into the game and finished with assists.
Casey Cizikas added two goals of his own, giving the Islanders extra punch down the stretch.
Simon Holmstrom, Tony DeAngelo, and Calum Ritchie also found the back of the net, rounding out a beautifully balanced attack.
Despite outshooting the Islanders 45-24, the Devils couldn’t convert a single attempt into a goal. Goalie Jacob Markstrom was left to absorb the onslaught, stopping just 15 of 24 shots as New Jersey’s hopes fizzled under constant pressure.
"It's embarrassing," Markstrom said in a postgame interview. "We want to apologize to Devils fans. I have to be better and stop more pucks. We put up 40-plus shots. They put up 20 and score nine. I'm embarrassed for myself and for my teammates, the team, and the fans. It's not good enough. I have to be better."
Every time the Devils tried to reset or regroup, the Islanders applied pressure again through quick transitions, puck possession, or exploiting defensive breakdowns.
The Islanders now boast a strong stretch of play, winning five of their last seven games and creating momentum that could carry them deep into the postseason. For the Devils, this result will sting. For Islanders fans, Tuesday night reaffirmed that a franchise long defined by playoff success is once again emerging as a serious contender.
