NHL Update: New Jersey Devils win 4-3 against the New York Islanders
The 81st game of the NHL preseason took place this Friday at the Prudential Centre, home of the New Jersey Devils. Around 14,000 charismatic NHL fans came to witness the game that was expected to be one of the toughest encounters in the preseason
as the New York Islanders were up against the New Jersey Devils.
First period
As expected, the first period was dominated by the home team, New Jersey Devils. From the very beginning of the period, the New Jersey Devils showed extravagant skill in the department of passing, shooting and play making.
However, due to mistake in the defence in the 2nd minute, the New York Islanders scored through a fast break. A powerful 170 feet backhand by Jesse Joensuu, which flew past the New Jersey Devil’s goal keeper, put them in the lead with 0-1. The
next 2 minutes saw the New York Islanders emerge top in terms of attacks and creating scoring opportunities.
Then there was a sudden shift in gears in New Jersey Devils game and they started to stack up shots that were unstoppable but just wide. Finally, they managed to score in the 6th minute credentials Jason Arnott 29 feet tip off. This levelled the
score on 1-1 and the home crowd went wild backing their team and urging them to score once again.
There was time in the period when no chances developed due to the tight and tough defence of both teams. However, in the 16th minute, the hard work of New Jersey Devils paid off and they took the lead 2-1. This was due to a perfect finish by Zach
Parise from 24 feet.
The home team was cheered off the field when the whistle for the first period’s end blew. At the end, the Devils were able to pile up 12 goal attempts out of which they scored twice. The New York Islanders managed 6 unsuccessful attempts.
Second period
New Jersey Devils continued from where they left off in the first period. Regularly coming up with good plays and passing, they weren’t able to finish it. They deserved a goal for the hard work and skilful display they were showing but couldn’t manage that.
Nevertheless, not disheartened by this they kept on pressing forward and finally scored in the 8th minute. The game came from Brain Rolston from a slap off, 50 feet away from the goal. However, the Devils were in a commanding lead with 3-1 their
search for another goal continued.
They were successful in scoring in the 13th minute through constant hard work and effort. Patrik Elias’s goal from 20 feet put them in a comfortable position with the score on 4-1.
As soon as the play restarted, the New York Islanders were able to come up with goal attempts of their own, scored in the 15th minute, and cut the goal deficit to just 2 goals. The goal was a result of a Matt Moulson shot from 14 feet.
The rest of the period didn’t see much as the score stayed the same at 4-2 in favour of the New Jersey Devils. During the course of these 20 minutes, the New York Islanders managed 12 goal attempts and score once. The New Jersey Devils on the other hand
were able to bag 2 goals out of 7 goal attempts.
Third period
Both teams had the chance to win the match in the third period when they were able come up with good pieces of play, excellent passing and shooting. Both teams occasionally were seen weak in defence as both were trying hard to win the match.
The New York Islanders were looking to take as much advantage after cutting the lead down to just 2 goals by attacking from wings. They managed to score once again in the 12th minute by a splendid strike by Matt Moulson who bagged his 2nd
goal.
This was as far as it went as the New Jersey Devils won the match 4-3.
"We've got to be a lot better," Parise said. "I think we tried to get a little too fancy. We tried to make nice plays rather than getting it deep and making turnovers. We've only got one more game until the preseason starts, so we should be
playing right now like we will in October or November."
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