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Bo Horvat’s late goal lifts Islanders to 3-1 win over Devils

Bo Horvat's late goal lifts Islanders to 3-1 win over Devils | iNFOnews.ca
New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas (53) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the New Jersey Devils during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Bo Horvat broke a tie late in the third period and the New York Islanders went into the Olympic break with a 3-1 win over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.

Horvat went to his backhand off the draw, slipping the puck past goalie Jake Allen, with only 3:27 left to play. Casey Cizikas scored in the second period for the Islanders and Mathew Barzal scored an empty-net goal to seal the win for New York.

Cizikas put the Islanders up 1-0 at 6:30 in the second period, cleaning up a rebound in front of the net. From behind the net, Allen sent the puck around the boards right to Marc Gatcomb while the Devils were in a line change. Gatcomb fired the puck to the slot, where Kyle MacLean got a stick on it, tipping it to Cizikas. Allen made the save on the first tip by Cizikas, but couldn’t control the rebound.

Allen stopped 11 shots.

Two nights after coach Sheldon Keefe lamented his team’s lack of mental toughness, the Devils showed some fight, but the Islanders showed more of it.

Star New Jersey center Jack Hughes remained out for the third straight game with a lower-body injury. Still, New Jersey pummeled New York goalie Ilya Sorokin, outshooting the Islanders 24-14.

Late in the second period, Allen sent an outlet pass up to Jesper Bratt in the neutral zone. Once in the offensive zone, Bratt slid a cross-ice feed to Nico Hischier at the edge of the right circle and his wrist shot beat Sorokin high on his glove side.

Sorokin made 23 saves.

Up next

Islanders: Visit Montreal on Feb. 26.

Devils: Host Buffalo on Feb. 25.

Bo Horvat's late goal lifts Islanders to 3-1 win over Devils | iNFOnews.ca
New Jersey Devils right wing Connor Brown (16) collides with New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Bo Horvat's late goal lifts Islanders to 3-1 win over Devils | iNFOnews.ca
New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin makes a save against New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt, right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Bo Horvat's late goal lifts Islanders to 3-1 win over Devils | iNFOnews.ca
New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas (53) plays the puck against New Jersey Devils right wing Arseny Gritsyuk (81) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Bo Horvat's late goal lifts Islanders to 3-1 win over Devils | iNFOnews.ca
New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) plays the puck against New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt (63) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

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