The New York Islanders are set to wrap up their pre-Olympic schedule Thursday night with a divisional showdown against the New Jersey Devils - and this one carries plenty of playoff implications on both sides of the ice.
For the Islanders, momentum is finally swinging back in their direction. Tuesday night’s 5-4 overtime thriller against the Pittsburgh Penguins wasn’t just a needed win - it was a reminder of what this team can look like when their top players are firing.
Bo Horvat led the charge with two goals, including the OT winner, and added an assist for good measure. Mathew Barzal matched him point for point, and rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer continued to turn heads with a goal and an assist of his own.
Ryan Pulock chipped in with a goal, and Ilya Sorokin held firm in net, stopping 31 shots to help New York snap a brief two-game skid.
The Islanders’ depth is about to get a boost, too. Rookie center Cal Ritchie is set to return to the lineup after missing six games with a lower-body injury.
He’ll slot back in between Emil Heineman and Jonathan Drouin and is expected to reclaim his spot on the power play. To make room, Anthony Duclair will come out of the lineup.
Special teams have been a quiet strength for the Isles lately, and they’ll look to keep that edge going against a Devils team that’s been reeling. New York’s penalty kill has been flawless over the last two games and now sits eighth in the league at 82.3 percent.
And when games go past regulation? The Islanders have been automatic - a perfect 6-0 in overtime this season.
All eyes will be on Schaefer again Thursday, and for good reason. The 18-year-old is on a heater, with goals in three of his last four games, and he’s now sitting at 16 on the season.
That puts him just one shy of tying the NHL record for goals by an 18-year-old defenseman - and also one away from matching the Islanders’ franchise mark for a rookie blueliner. For a kid still in his first pro season, he’s playing with the poise and production of a seasoned vet.
Meanwhile, the Devils are trying to find their footing after a tough stretch. They’ve dropped four of their last five, including a 3-0 shutout loss to Columbus, and they’ll be without both Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes. Nico Hischier remains their most dangerous offensive weapon, but the lineup is clearly missing some firepower.
New York has had New Jersey’s number this season, winning all three previous meetings. Another win Thursday would give the Islanders a season-series sweep and some valuable breathing room in the Metropolitan Division playoff race. They currently sit third in the division with 67 points, and heading into the Olympic break, every point counts.
So while it’s just one game on the schedule, this one feels like it carries a little extra weight. The Islanders are heating up, their young talent is surging, and with a chance to bank two more points before the break, they’ll be looking to make a statement in Newark.