Pageau Hatty, Schneider Strong in 4-3 Win Over Devils

Newark, New Jersey– The New York Islanders, backed by a Jean-Gabriel Pageau hat trick, defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-3. The Islanders have won four straight contests and are now 32-27-9 on the season.

How it Happened

Jean-Gabriel Pageau gave the New York Islanders a 1-0 lead at 11:56 of the first period as he beat New Jersey netminder Nico Daws five-hole for his 11th of the season. Kyle Palmieri and Adam Pelech were credited with the assists.

Pageau doubled the Islanders lead on the power play at the 14:00 mark as he buried a loose puck for his 12th of the season. Anders Lee was credited with the lone assist.

Pageau netted his third of the game at 14:58 of the second period. Adam Pelech found him at the top of the Devils crease for a tap-in.

Jesper Bovquist got the New Jersey Devils on the board with 15:45 to go in the second period as he deflected a point shot by Damon Severson for his sixth of the season. Severson and Kuokkanen were credited with the assists.

Tomas Tatar made it a 3-2 game as he beat New York Islanders netminder Cory Schneider over the glove from the slot at 4:32 of the third period. Andreas Johnsson and Dawson Mercer were credited with the assists on Tatar’s 13th of the season.

Kyle Palmieri gave the Islanders a 4-2 lead as he beat Daws blocker side for his 14th of the season. Pageau and Pelech were credited with the assists.

Schneider Gets First Start in 2 Years

New York Islanders netminder Cory Schneider had not started an NHL game since Mar. 6 of 2020 as a member of the New Jersey Devils. With Ilya Sorokin still not available for the Islanders and Semyon Varlamov having played the last three games, including both of a back-to-back Thursday and Friday, Schnieder got the nod to start Sunday.

And he was solid.

Schneider turned aside 27 of 30 shots faced including some big-time stops early in the third period and again late in the third to preserve the slim one-goal lead.

“It’s easy to take the league for granted when you’re young and you’re playing a lot and things can change quickly as we all know, in life in general, not just in hockey,” Schneider said after the win. “So always be grateful for the chances you get.”

Pageau Snaps Streak, Scores 3

New York Islanders forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau had not scored in 13 games prior to the contest against the New Jersey Devils. However, that came to an end on Sunday.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored three goals in the contest, a natural hat trick, including an assist for a four-point night.

His first came on a mini-breakaway, while his second and third coming from the top of the blue paint. Here’s his third goal.

J-G Pageau with the natty hatty 🎩🎩🎩@NYIslanders carry the lead late into the second period #NHLonTNT pic.twitter.com/IZ7Zn5lPBg

— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) April 3, 2022

Some hats came raining down from the Prudential Center seats and Pageau actually caught one on his stick.

“It was cool. I was almost more happy to catch the hat than score that third one,” Pageau said postgame. “I think it just made everyone laugh. I had a good chuckle out of it.”

That was Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s fourth career hat trick. His last one came on Nov. 13 of 2019, against the New Jersey Devils in Newark.

Pelech Reaches 100 Points

New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech has never been known for his offense. But this season, he has been more of a force on the offensive side of the puck than in years past. He recorded his 20th assist of the season, which set a new career-high back on Mar. 27 in a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

And on Sunday, Pelech recorded his 100th career point, with the secondary assist on Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s second goal of the contest.

Palmieri with the sauce, Pageau with the finish 🥫@NYIslanders on the board first #NHLonTNT pic.twitter.com/Y30X5zpdaL

— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) April 3, 2022

Subban vs. Wahlstrom

Just over four minutes into the second frame, New York Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom hit New Jersey Devils star forward Jack Hughes, which injured him on the play. Moments later, New Jersey Devils defenseman P.K. Subban jumped Wahlstrom in defense of his teammate.

Oliver Wahlstrom dropped the gloves but had no clear chance to defend himself, and P.K. Subban was ejected from the contest for his actions.

Wahlstrom lays a hit on Hughes and then Subban goes after Wahlstrom pic.twitter.com/Tx8qsrn6l5

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) April 3, 2022

Jack Hughes did not return to the game.

“I didn’t even see it but the guys were telling me to Subban sort of jumped Wahlstrom,” New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said. “If you’re gonna do it (retaliate), just, you know, eye him up and go at it and so that’s where the anger was. He (Subban) was fortunate he probably got kicked out of the game.”

WHAT’S NEXT: The New York Islanders are in Dallas to take on the Stars Tuesday at 8:30 PM.