Islanders top Devils as Bo Horvat scores go-ahead goal in last game before Olympic break
Islanders center Bo Horvat is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal against the New Jersey Devils during the third period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Newark. Credit: AP/Noah K. Murray
NEWARK — Patrick Roy slammed his stick on the ice at the end of the morning skate to emphasize his message that the Islanders had to finish strong before the three-week Olympic break.
“Everyone had that feeling,” defenseman Adam Pelech told Newsday. “You want to end on a high note. You don’t want to be thinking about what you could have done different for a few weeks here.”
It wasn’t clean or dominant — the Islanders were outshot 24-14 — but they managed to earn a 3-1 win over the Devils at Prudential Center to sweep the four-game season series. They also had swept the Rangers.
It ended a grueling stretch of six games in nine days, including five against Metropolitan Division rivals, and eight in 13 days. That the third-place Islanders (32-21-5) won four of their last six despite the physical toll of the condensed schedule was impressive.
They remained one point behind the second-place Penguins — whom they beat, 5-4, in overtime on Tuesday night at UBS Arena — and four points ahead of the Blue Jackets, who have won seven straight, and the Capitals.
“It’s huge not only standings-wise but confidence going into the break knowing we’re in a good spot,” said Olympian Bo Horvat (Team Canada), who scored the winner on a backhander at the crease at 16:33 of the third period for his team-leading 24th goal. He added his 600th career point by setting up Mathew Barzal’s empty-net goal with 23.6 seconds remaining.
“It’s up to us to keep ourselves there and keep getting wins after the break, too,” Horvat said.
The Islanders will resume their season on Feb. 26 in Montreal.
“It was a lot of hockey, especially when you’re playing division opponents,” said Casey Cizikas, who opened the scoring at the crease at 6:30 of the second period. “That wears on you. I’m proud of the guys in this dressing room for pulling through and finding a way to get the job done tonight.”
The Devils (28-27-2), who tied it at 1-1 on Nico Hischier’s shot from the right circle at 18:26 of the second period, were playing without Olympian Jack Hughes. He’s headed to Italy to dress for Team USA but was out against the Islanders with a lower-body issue.
“We tried not to think about the break at all,” defenseman Matthew Schaefer said. “Finish hard and strong and get the big two points. It was a weird game, honestly. We were definitely not at our best. Sorokie [goalie Ilya Sorokin] played really good for us but we definitely have a lot better than that.”
Sorokin stuffed several in-tight chances by the Devils, but Pelech might have made the best save, sliding to get a skate on Lenni Hameenaho’s backdoor chance at 11:07 of the second period.
“Oh my God, that play that Pelly made was a huge, huge play by him,” Roy said. “Everybody played a good game, sound and smart.”
Rookie center Cal Ritchie returned to the lineup after a six-game absence for a lower-body issue, allowing Roy to make Anthony Duclair a healthy scratch after benching him for the final two periods on Tuesday. Roy cited Duclair’s defensive tracking as the reason to sit him after he logged only 3:04 over four shifts.
It was the fourth time this season that Duclair, who had a natural hat trick and a career-high five points in a 9-0 win over the Devils on Jan. 6, has been a healthy scratch.
Ritchie’s return also shifted Jonathan Drouin from the middle to left wing on the second line. The free-agent acquisition (two years, $8 million) went into the break without a goal in 34 games.
Drouin’s neutral-zone turnover led to Dawson Mercer’s breakaway backhander that glanced off the crossbar with 48.3 seconds left in the first period.
Ondrej Palat, acquired from the Devils for Max Tsyplakov on Jan. 27, just missed scoring against his former team as his chance low in the right circle hit the near post at 7:38 of the first period. Palat, who will play for Czechia in the Olympics, also was denied twice in the third period by goalie Jake Allen.
But the Islanders finally found a way to sneak past the Devils, who have lost three straight and five of six, in an otherwise even game.
How even? NaturalStatTrick.com reported each team had nine high-danger chances skating five-on-five and a Corsi of 50%.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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