Upcoming Matchup: Islanders vs. Devils
The New York Islanders are set to face off against the New Jersey Devils this Thursday at 7 p.m. EST in Newark, New Jersey, in a thrilling matchup within the Metropolitan Division. The Islanders, currently holding a record of 31 wins, 21 losses, and 5 overtime losses, are coming off a spectacular performance that saw Bo Horvat netting two goals in their recent 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Team Performance Overview
In contrast, the Devils have struggled within their division, posting a record of 28 wins and 26 losses, with only four wins in 16 games against fellow Metropolitan teams. With a concerning defensive record, New Jersey has conceded 172 goals while managing to score just 142, resulting in a -30 goal differential.
This upcoming game marks the fourth encounter of the season between these two rivals, following a notable prior match in which the Islanders dominated the Devils with a staggering 9-0 victory, led by Anthony Duclair’s hat trick.
Key Players to Watch
Highlighting the performances on ice, Jesper Bratt is a standout for the Devils, accumulating 13 goals along with 28 assists this season. Teammate Jack Hughes has contributed one goal and seven assists over the last ten games, but both players will need to step up to improve their team’s performance overall. For the Islanders, Horvat has been a key player, tallying 23 goals and 15 assists thus far. Jean-Gabriel Pageau has also been effective, scoring five goals with two assists within the last ten games.
Recent Form Analysis
Analyzing their recent form, both teams are currently sitting at 5 victories and 5 losses over their last 10 games. The Devils have averaged 2.2 goals and 3.9 assists per game but have been yielding an average of 2.6 goals against them. The Islanders, meanwhile, average slightly more at 2.7 goals and 4.9 assists but allow 2.8 goals per game.
Injury Report
Both teams report no injury concerns heading into this critical matchup, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting clash on the ice.
