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The New York Islanders dropped the final game of their four-game homestand to open the season, losing 4-1 to the New Jersey Devils yesterday.
The Devils were all over the Islanders early in the first period, getting some great chances throughout the first half of the frame. New Jersey’s forwards were beating defenders cleanly on the rush and Ilya Sorokin was forced to make some key saves. Despite being outshot 13-3 in the frame though, the game remained scoreless after the first period.
New Jersey did strike first early in the second period though, when Damon Severson found Jack Hughes with a great stretch pass and after Hughes was able to get past Alexander Romanov, he went in alone and slid the puck through Sorokin. Then a little later in the frame, Brock Nelson turned the puck over behind the Islanders’ net and the Devils capitalized, with Ondrej Palat burying a pass from Nico Hischier. New Jersey continued to generate quality chances after that, but the score stayed at 2-0 through 40 minutes.
The Islanders didn’t get a ton going in the third period and were outshot by a huge 20-5 margin. Then with under five minutes left, Palat scored his second goal of the game off a nice pass from Jesper Bratt and while Anders Lee did get New York on the board late, an empty net goal from Nico Hischier secured a 4-1 win for the Devils.
This was certainly the Islanders’ worst game of the season so far and it's not close. They were outshot by a massive 43-17 margin and were outplayed throughout most of the night.
New York was uncharacteristically getting picked apart defensively at times and the Devils were able to generate way more quality chances off the rush than the Islanders would normally give up. Defenders were getting beaten on entries by New Jersey’s speed and if it weren’t for Sorokin, the score could’ve been a lot worse.
The Islanders also got very little going offensively, which was disappointing after two pretty strong games. They came out completely flat and blew a pretty good chances to pick up their third win of the season at home.
New York’s next game comes tomorrow against the Tampa Bay Lightning, before facing the Florida Panthers on Sunday in a back-to-back.
OTHER ARTICLES FROM OCTOBER
Islanders sign Mathew Barzal to eight-year contract extension
Islanders announce opening night roster
Andy Greene announces retirement
Islanders fall short against Panthers in season opener
Islanders blow out Ducks, Lane Lambert picks up first win as NHL head coach
Islanders earn another home win, defeat Sharks 5-2 
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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