On Thursday, February 5, 2026, the New York Islanders will face off against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. This NHL matchup features the Islanders, currently holding a record of 30-21-5, competing against the Devils, who are positioned at 28-25-2. Fans can watch this intense game on MSG+ as both teams aim to improve their standings in the league.
Performance Overview for the New York Islanders
The Islanders are entering this game seeking to bounce back after a 4-1 loss to the Washington Capitals in their previous outing. In that game, New York accumulated 13 penalty minutes and had two power play opportunities but failed to capitalize on either, managing only a single goal from 30 shots. Their offensive output fell short of expectations during this contest.
Through the season, the Islanders have scored 157 goals, ranking 23rd in the NHL, while conceding 152 goals. They have earned 65 points, holding a points percentage of .580. On the power play, New York has had 169 chances and converted 27 of them, resulting in a 15.98% success rate. At even strength, the Islanders have netted 130 goals but allowed 124. They have attempted 1,555 shots, maintaining a shot percentage of 10.1%. Defensively, opponents have fired 1,560 shots against the Islanders, who have a save percentage of .903 in the net.
Islanders’ Goalie Ilya Sorokin’s Career Insights
New York will rely on goaltender Ilya Sorokin to protect the net in this game. Over his career, Sorokin has accumulated 184 quality starts with a quality start rate of .655. He boasts a save percentage of .916 over 13,491 minutes played. Opponents have taken 8,514 shots against him, out of which he has stopped 7,800. Sorokin has conceded 714 goals, holding a goals-against average of 2.54. His professional mark stands at 143 wins, 102 losses, and 38 overtime results, with 281 starts in 286 career games.
New Jersey Devils’ Recent Challenges and Current Season Stats
The Devils come into this matchup following a 4-1 defeat against the Ottawa Senators. In that contest, New Jersey had five power play opportunities but failed to score. They managed only one goal from 27 shots on target, reflecting struggles in offensive execution.
Overall, the Devils have scored 142 goals this season while conceding 169. They have earned 58 points and maintain a points percentage of .527. New Jersey’s defense has allowed 139 even-strength goals and 30 goals while shorthanded. Offensively, they have tallied 112 goals at even strength and 30 on the power play, with their power play success rate sitting at 21.43% through 140 opportunities. The Devils have taken 1,623 shots, ranking seventh in the NHL, but have a lower shooting accuracy at 8.75%. Defensively, they have permitted opponents 1,541 shots and have a penalty kill rate of 78.57%. Their save percentage is noted at .890.
Goalie Jacob Markstrom’s Role in the Devils’ Defense
Jacob Markstrom is expected to be in net for New Jersey. Markstrom’s opponents average 2.71 goals per game against him. Over his career, he has allowed 1,475 goals and maintained a quality start rate of 52.5%, having recorded 286 quality starts. Markstrom has made 545 starts across 563 games and logged 28,371 minutes. His career record includes 256 wins, 224 losses, and 64 overtime results. He has stopped 14,379 shots of the 15,854 faced, holding a career save percentage of .907.
Anticipating the Impact and Outcome of the Match
This rivalry game holds significant implications for both teams. The Islanders look to regain their offensive momentum and improve their power play effectiveness, while the Devils aim to tighten their defense and capitalize on special teams. The performances of starting goaltenders Ilya Sorokin and Jacob Markstrom will be crucial in determining the flow and eventual outcome of this contest.
Given the narrow margins between these squads in standings and performance metrics, the game promises to be tightly contested, with both teams battling hard for critical points as the season progresses. Their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and maintain defensive discipline will heavily influence who dominates the ice at the Prudential Center.
