In New York, Anthony Duclair delivered his first hat trick in six years, while Ilya Sorokin blocked all 45 shots in his comeback from injury, as the New York Islanders were defeated 9-0 by the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night. Duclair, returning after missing the last two games, scored three straight goals from early in the first period into the second and added two assists, totaling five points in the game. This marked his fourth NHL hat trick and first since December 14, 2019, when he was with the Ottawa Senators.
Sorokin showcased an outstanding performance, staying composed in his first game since December 19 and setting the franchise record for shutouts with his 26th. He had been out due to a persistent lower-body injury. On the other end, Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom allowed goals on the first two shots he faced. The Islanders, coming off a home loss to Carolina where defenseman Luke Hughes scored on his own net twice, struggled to mount a comeback.
New Jersey has now lost six of their last eight games, while the Islanders have won two straight and five of seven, remaining competitive with the Metropolitan Division leaders, the Hurricanes. Rookie of the Year front-runner Matthew Shaffer has earned points in four straight games and, despite illness, assisted on Barzal’s early goal. Simon Holmstrom, Casey Cizikas, Tony Deangelo, and Cal Richie also scored for New York.
Looking ahead, the Devils will visit Pittsburgh on Thursday, and the Islanders start a seven-game road trip in Nashville the same night.
Fan Take: This game highlights the resilience and talent within the Islanders, especially with Duclair’s impressive return and Sorokin’s shutdown goaltending. For hockey fans, it underscores the dramatic shifts in momentum and player performance that keep the sport exciting and unpredictable.
