Devils Dominate Islanders in 4-1 Victory

What we said beforehand

The New York Islanders will face off against the New Jersey Devils at UBS Arena on September 26, 2026, in a matchup that promises to be intriguing given the teams' recent performances. The Islanders enter the game with a record of 1-2-0, while the Devils boast a slightly better record at 2-0-1. This fixture is particularly noteworthy as the Islanders look to improve their home form, having struggled recently.

In their last five games, the Islanders have recorded one win and four losses. Their most recent game resulted in a heavy 6-1 defeat against the New York Rangers on September 25, 2026. Prior to that, they lost to the Rangers again, 4-3, on September 22, and were edged out by the Devils themselves, 2-1, on September 20. The Islanders' scoring average over their last five games is 2.0 goals per game, while they have allowed an average of 3.5 goals.

Conversely, the Devils have shown more resilience in their recent outings, winning three of their last five games. They defeated the Islanders 2-1 on September 20 and followed that with a victory against the New York Rangers, winning 3-2 on September 21. However, they did lose to the Rangers in their latest game, going down 4-3 in a shootout on September 24. The Devils' scoring average in their last five games stands at 2.6 goals per game, with an average of 3.1 goals allowed.

Home and away performances reveal a stark contrast in form. The Islanders have struggled at home, with a record of 1-5 over their last six home games, averaging just 1.6 goals scored and allowing 3.4 goals. In contrast, the Devils have a balanced away record of 2-2 in their last four away games, averaging 2.4 goals scored and 2.8 goals allowed.

Historically, the Islanders have had the upper hand in their recent encounters with the Devils, winning four of the last five meetings. Their most notable victory came on January 7, 2026, when they dominated the Devils with a 9-0 scoreline. However, the Devils managed to secure a win in their last meeting, which could provide them with confidence heading into this matchup.

In terms of injuries, both teams are missing key players. The Islanders will be without Mathew Barzal due to a knee injury. The Devils have multiple players out, including Seamus Casey, Johnathan Kovacevic, and Nick Bjugstad, all sidelined with knee injuries, which could impact their depth and performance.

Betting lines for the game indicate that the Devils are favored to win, with odds provided by an unnamed sportsbook. The conditions at UBS Arena are expected to be typical for late September, which should not significantly affect gameplay.

Viewers should watch for how the Islanders respond to their recent struggles, particularly at home, and whether they can capitalize on the Devils' injury woes. The performance of Matias Maccelli for the Islanders, who leads the team with two goals this season, will be crucial, as will the contributions from the Devils' Timo Meier, who has two points in the last five games. This matchup is set to be a compelling contest as both teams vie for crucial points early in the season.