Oliver Wahlstrom and Islanders Defeat Devils In Crazy Game
Oliver Wahlstrom was the hero once again as the New York Islanders defeated the New Jersey Devils Sunday evening at Prudential Center to win their NHL-leading ninth consecutive game.
It was a wild one. This game contained two COVID-19 substitutions, a questionable penalty that negated a Devils’ goal, an overturned overtime game-winner, a broken goal-light and an entertaining shootout.
According to Arthur Staple, Jean-Gabriel Pageau went on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list before the game and was unable to play. Then, Noah Dobson was removed from the game after taking warmups and standing on the bench for the National Anthem. Dobson was added to the NHL COVID-19 protocol list during the second intermission.
“All the protocols the NHL has in place, all the testing, we were just informed before the game that there were some discrepancies,” Trotz said. “The NHL’s doing a really good job of trying to keep everyone safe.”
Sebastian Aho was in the pregame dressing room taking off his gear after warmups, when he was told he would be playing in his first game since March 18, 2018, a span of 1,092 days, replacing Dobson. Austin Czarnik filled in for Pageau.
“They pretty much told me right then and I put my gear back on,” Aho said.
Aho made an impact right away. He took a shot from the point that deflected off Kieffer Bellows who scored his third goal in two games to give New York a 1-0 lead 4:18 into the first period.
The Devils responded, but Brock Nelson regained the lead (2-1) with one second remaining in the first period.
“I just tried to turn, fire something through and it found a way,” Nelson said. “It had some eyes and went through some bodies.”
Following Yegor Sharangovich’s snap shot goal to tie the game at two, there was controversy. The Devils appeared to take a 3-2 lead, but Nathan Bastian was called for an interference penalty as the puck was entering the net.
In overtime, the controversy continued, as the Islanders appeared to lose but P.K. Subban’s game-winner was called back for offsides. Nelson took a penalty minutes later and New York killed the ensuing Devils’ power-play, bringing the game to a shootout.
“You’re thinking the game’s over and then they started to take a look at it and our video guys are calling down saying they’re pretty sure it’s offside, so it’s game-changing,” Nelson said. “Obviously, it gives us some life.
In the skills competition, Nikita Gusev scored right away, putting the Islanders in a hole. The Islanders had some time to regroup after New Jersey’s goal light failed to turn off. When they returned, Anthony Beauvillier and Oliver Wahlstrom scored two impressive goals in the third and fourth frame, winning the game for New York.
Ilya Sorokin has won his last six starts and his team has earned points in 12 consecutive games. The Devils have lost 11 straight games at home, even after Scott Wedgewood’s impressive 32-save performance Sunday evening.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said Devils’ head coach Lindy Ruff. “I feel for the players. They battled hard. Our goalie battled hard and made some great saves. There’s ways that we could have been better, but there’s still a lot where I feel the pain the players are going through.”
The Devils’ home losing streak is the second-longest in NHL history, tied with the Boston Bruins (1924-25), Washington Capitals (1974-75) and Ottawa Senators (1993-94).
The Devils host the Sabres for a 7 p.m. matchup Tuesday night in Buffalo while the Islanders travel to Washington to battle the Capitals at the same time.
