The Devils pinch out the Islanders

Lazar's late backhand keeps the Devils burning

Two flames, one shelf

Two Eastern candles met at Prudential Center in Newark, and only one would leave still lit. The New York Islanders had snuffed the Red Wings on qualification night. The New Jersey Devils had doused the Canadiens. Last season the Devils finished 3rd of 32 and the Islanders 15th, but none of that counted in the Round of 16. Lose, and your flame went dark. Win, and you joined the eight still burning.

The Islanders run away

Bo Horvat struck first, ripping a power-play slap shot at 5:16. Michael McLeod answered at 10:29 with a wrister off a Curtis Lazar feed, and Dawson Mercer put the Devils ahead early in the second. Then the middle period belonged to the Islanders. Mathew Barzal snapped one home at 8:24. Cal Clutterbuck backhanded another just 1:16 later. Jean-Gabriel Pageau snapped in a fourth at 13:05, Barzal assisting. Barzal finished with a goal and two assists, and the Islanders led 4-2.

Three goals, one flame

Jack Hughes wristed one in at 5:08 of the third. With Barzal and Simon Holmstrom both sent to the box, Nico Hischier backhanded a power-play tying goal at 11:10, Hughes earning his second assist. Brendan Smith and Anders Lee dropped the gloves at 17:56. Then Lazar, fed by Kevin Bahl and McLeod, backhanded the winner with 0:23 left. Akira Schmid stopped all 8 shots he faced in relief, and the Islanders' flame went cold.