Quick Read
- Anthony Duclair scored a natural hat trick and achieved a career-high five points (3 goals, 2 assists) in the Islanders’ 9-0 victory.
- Ilya Sorokin returned from a lower-body injury with a 45-save shutout, setting a new Islanders franchise record with his 26th career shutout.
- The 9-0 score tied the Islanders’ largest margin of victory in franchise history.
- Duclair’s hat trick was his first as an Islander and fourth of his career, marking a significant turnaround after a challenging 17 months with the team.
- The New Jersey Devils’ Jacob Markstrom made only 15 saves on 23 shots, as the team suffered its fifth shutout of the season.
The ice at UBS Arena transformed into a stage for redemption and record-breaking performances on Tuesday night, as the New York Islanders delivered a stunning 9-0 annihilation of the reeling New Jersey Devils. At the heart of this historic victory were two intertwining narratives: the spectacular return to form of forward Anthony Duclair, who netted a natural hat trick and a career-high five points, and the impenetrable goaltending of Ilya Sorokin, who marked his return from injury with a franchise-record-setting 45-save shutout.
Anthony Duclair’s Road to Redemption Culminates in Historic Performance
For Anthony Duclair, the past 17 months as an Islander have been a tumultuous journey, often feeling like an eternity for both player and club. When he signed on July 1, 2024, the vision was clear: Duclair’s blistering speed and scoring prowess would ignite a lethal top line alongside Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat. Yet, reality often deviates from carefully laid plans.
The path since then has been well-documented and repeatedly scrutinized. Five games into his first season, a torn groin sidelined him, followed by an attempt to return that proved premature. Coach Patrick Roy, known for his candid assessments, publicly questioned Duclair’s effort, effectively ending his year early. This season, the struggles continued, with Duclair frequently relegated to the bottom six or, more dishearteningly, a healthy scratch. He had missed the previous two games, making Tuesday’s appearance his first return to the lineup, playing on the fourth line for the tenth time this season.
But on this particular Tuesday, the script flipped dramatically. This was the Anthony Duclair the Islanders had envisioned acquiring two summers ago, and then some. He wasn’t just good; he was exceptional, leading his team to a resounding 9-0 beatdown of the Devils. His performance tied the Islanders’ largest margin of victory in franchise history, a testament to a night where everything clicked. Speaking after the game, a visibly grateful Duclair remarked, “Very grateful, obviously. Very thankful for all the fans that threw their hats, too. Shoutout to Mom. Mom was in town and it’s her last day here on the Island. I wanted to play well for her. I’m glad she got to witness that.” His last goal had come on December 2, and his last hat trick dated back to December 14, 2019, when he was with the Ottawa Senators, making this his fourth career hat trick and his first as an Islander.
The offensive explosion began swiftly. After Mathew Barzal opened the Islanders’ account just 1:08 into the game, Duclair took center stage. His first two goals came in similar, decisive fashion, as detailed by NHL.com: holding the puck on odd-man rushes, he would sell the pass before unleashing a shot that beat Jacob Markstrom from the left circle. By the first intermission, Duclair had already made it 3-0. The natural hat trick was completed at 3:29 of the second period when Barzal, despite having a shooting lane during a sustained offensive zone shift, opted to feed Duclair for a one-timer, extending the lead to 4-0 and effectively ending the competitive portion of the night. Duclair wasn’t done there; two late assists allowed him to set a career high with five points and he finished with an astounding plus-6 rating. This marked the first time an Islander achieved such a plus/minus since Bryan Trottier and Mike Bossy did so on November 26, 1983, with Bossy’s previous hat trick after missing a game also coming against the Devils on October 29, 1983, as noted by the NY Post.
Sorokin’s Impregnable Net Sets Franchise Record
While Duclair’s offensive explosion stole the headlines, Ilya Sorokin’s heroic return to the net was a story in itself. Sorokin, sidelined for seven games with a lower-body injury, showed no signs of rust. He stopped all 45 shots he faced, earning his 26th career shutout and, in doing so, officially surpassing Chico Resch for the Islanders’ franchise record. This monumental achievement, though relegated to a secondary item by Duclair’s performance, underscored Sorokin’s consistent brilliance and his critical role in the team’s success. Coach Patrick Roy lauded his performance, stating, “In order to be in that position, you have to have good years. That’s what he’s been doing. Tonight he was really sharp, moving well, had a strong game.” His flawless return was a testament to his dedication and the team’s medical staff.
A Tale of Two Teams: Islanders Soar, Devils Reeling
The stark contrast between the two teams on Tuesday night was palpable. For the New Jersey Devils, this 9-0 defeat was another painful chapter in a season that has seen them go 2-5-1 in their past eight games and be shut out for the fifth time. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom’s night was particularly brutal; he stopped a pitiful 15 of 23 shots, yet was inexplicably left in net for the entire game, even as Simon Holmstrom, Casey Cizikas, Tony DeAngelo, Cal Ritchie, and Cizikas again poured on five more goals after Duclair’s hat trick. The frustration among the Devils’ fanbase was encapsulated when a fan, unable to bear the spectacle, tossed a jersey onto the UBS Arena ice after Holmstrom made it 5-0.
By contrast, Islanders fans had every reason for jubilation. Their team has defied expectations this season, emerging as a legitimate playoff contender despite a glut of injuries. The 9-0 victory, their largest margin in franchise history, was a powerful statement of their depth and resilience. Patrick Roy, speaking on his players’ ability to step up, acknowledged Duclair’s professional handling of being a healthy scratch. “No one likes to be a healthy scratch, but it’s up to you to decide how you’re gonna deal with it,” Roy stated. “And I think he did a really nice job being ready for the game, and he played an outstanding game.” This “next man up” mentality has been a hallmark of the Islanders’ success, allowing them to navigate adversity and continue finding ways to win.
This wasn’t merely a statistic or a single game; it was a narrative of profound redemption for Anthony Duclair, a reaffirmation of Ilya Sorokin’s elite status, and a powerful demonstration of the Islanders’ collective resilience and depth. In a league where narratives shift as quickly as momentum, this historic victory serves as a potent reminder that beneath the surface of every season, personal battles and team triumphs coalesce to define legacies.