New Jersey handled the Islanders 4-1 at the Coliseum, and the game was effectively settled by a three-goal middle period. Luke Evangelista scored twice, and the Devils had a four-goal cushion before the second intermission.
Evangelista opened it in the seventh minute off a Luke Hughes feed for 0-1. The second period was the turning point: Arseni Gritsyuk made it 0-2 at 21, Evangelista struck again a minute later on a Nico Hischier setup, and Dougie Hamilton pushed it to 0-4 at 35. Simon Holmstrom got the Islanders on the board at 56, assisted by Bo Horvat.
The standout number is New Jersey's second period — three goals to none, and 4-0 after 40 minutes. Evan Rodrigues collected two assists, on the Gritsyuk and Hamilton goals, while the Islanders managed a single goal across 60 minutes.