3 Takeaways: Palmieri Paces Isles in 5-1 Win Over Devils

A rivalry night revived the New York Islanders on Monday, as they beat the New Jersey Devils 5-1 on Monday at UBS Arena, snapping a two-game winless streak in the process.
Kyle Palmieri's three-point game (2G, 1A) paced the Islanders, while Pierre Engvall, Bo Horvat (ENG) and Zach Parise (ENG) also scored for the Islanders. Ilya Sorokin stopped 30-of-31 in the win, while Vitek Vanacek stopped 31-of-34 in the loss. Erik Haula's shorthanded goal was the lone tally for the Devils.

It was an important win for the Islanders, who were looking to turn the page after a pair of losses over the week. Facing off against a team that had already punched their ticket to the playoffs in the Devils, the Islanders sure looked they wanted to do the same from the drop of the puck.
"Obviously we didn't like the results on Friday and Saturday," Palmieri said. "We left some points on the table there and we know going into this week with six or seven games left, it's make or break for the rest of the way. It was a good effort tonight and we're happy to get the win."
With the win, the Islanders (85 points) moved three points ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins (82 points) and six points ahead of the Florida Panthers (79 points), who are the first team outside of the playoff picture. It was a good way to start the week for the Islanders, whose three game road trip takes them through Washington, Tampa and Carolina.

PALMIERI PACES ISLES:

Kyle Palmieri left his mark on Monday's game.
Palmieri finished the game with two goals, an assist, a game-high seven shots, as well as three hits - all in 17:31 TOI. The former Devil played a factor in the Islanders first three goals.
ISLANDERS 5, DEVILS 1
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Full Highlights
Postgame: Lambert
Postgame: Palmieri
Postgame: Pelech
Postgame: Engvall
KINGER'S CALLS
Engvall Opens the Scoring
Palmieri Takes the Lead
Palmieri Nets His Second
Horvat's ENG
Parise Buries his 21st
"Kyle was outstanding to me," Head Coach Lane Lambert said. "Strong right from the beginning of the game. That power forward kind of game."
It was his breakaway that left a juicy rebound in the crease for Engvall to open the scoring at 7:37 of the first period. After Erik Haula's shorthanded goal tied the score at 6:15 of the second period, it was a terrific individual effort by Palmieri that pulled the Islanders ahead.
Palmieri collected a puck in the Devils zone and did a full lap of the net, protecting the puck on his backhand with enough time to count a few Mississippi's. After outwaiting a few Devils, Palmieri roofed a backhander high past Vitek Vanecek at 14:21 for the eventual winner.
"It was a long time to have the puck on my backhand was what I was thinking," Palmieri said. "I wanted Pierre right away and saw Nelson come through the slot and for some reason it was still on my backhand. I found some space and a little panicked and shot it."
The winger effectively sealed the game with his second of the night, an unassisted tally with 4:35 to play in the third. That set the table for Bo Horvat and Zach Parise to bury empty-netters, with Horvat snapping an 11-game goal drought in the process - and thanks to a selfless play from Casey Cizikas.
The three-point game was Palmieri's 14th of his career, but his second in the past six games. Palmieri has 10 points (5G, 5A) over that span and is now tied with Brock Nelson for the most points on the team (13) since Feb. 19.
"He's injected an element of offense into our group," Lambert said. "He's doing the same thing that he's been doing since he came back [from injury] he's just getting rewarded for it."

PELECH EARNS BIG PRAISE FROM LAMBERT:

Head Coach Lane Lambert doesn't make grandiose statements and isn't one for hyperbole, so when he offers a big compliment, it carries some weight.
Lambert had big praise for Adam Pelech, as the Islanders defenseman played a team-high 25:02 in the win. Pelech also led the Islanders with four blocks, and had six shot attempts (2 SOG, 1 A/B and 3 MS) to go along with a hit. The defenseman also was credited with three giveaways, which was a team-high. Regardless, he was a big factor in the Islanders containing one of three teams with 100 points and a high-octane office.
"I've seen him play a lot of hockey games since I've been here and that was one of the best hockey games I've seen him play," Lambert said. "He was outstanding tonight. He defended well. He was on top of his game and he's been on top of his game here for the last little while."

LINE CHANGES:

Lane Lambert shuffled his lines ahead of Monday's game, notably splitting up Bo Horvat and Anders Lee. Horvat was flanked by Zach Parise and Hudson Fasching - the second and fourth-leading scorers since Mathew Barzal's injury - while Lee skated with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Simon Holmstrom. Holmstrom drew back into the lineup for Josh Bailey after sitting out Saturday as a healthy scratch.

NEXT GAME:

The Islanders head out for the first of three-straight games on the road, starting with Washington on Wednesday night. Puck drop for this nationally-televised game (TNT) is at 7:30 p.m.