Game Details
Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET.
Venue: UBS Arena, Elmont, New York. This modern arena, opened in 2021, has a capacity of approximately 17,255 for hockey and is known for its intimate seating and state-of-the-art facilities, providing a strong home-ice advantage for the Islanders.
Recent Team Forms
New Jersey Devils: The Devils have been middling lately, going 3-2-0 in their last five games but showing defensive vulnerabilities in losses. They’ve averaged 2.8 goals per game while allowing 3.4, with special teams improving (85% PK success).
Their last five games:
Jan 4, 2026: L 1-3 vs. Carolina Hurricanes (outshot 28-35; limited offense despite strong goaltending).
Jan 2, 2026: W 4-2 at Chicago Blackhawks (balanced scoring; Jesper Bratt two points).
Dec 31, 2025: W 5-3 vs. Philadelphia Flyers (power-play efficiency; overcame early deficit).
Dec 29, 2025: L 2-4 at Washington Capitals (defensive breakdowns in third period).
Dec 27, 2025: W 3-1 vs. Ottawa Senators (solid shutdown game; held opponents to 25 shots). Overall form: L-W-W-L-W, with a -1 goal differential in the last five. Road form is decent (11-10-0), but recent penalties have led to losses in close games.
New York Islanders: The Islanders are rebounding, going 3-1-1 in their last five with a focus on overtime heroics and defensive structure. They’ve averaged 3.2 goals per game while allowing 3.0, excelling at home (12-8-2).
Their last five games:
Jan 3, 2026: W 4-3 OT vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (Matthew Schaefer OT winner; rallied from 3-2 deficit).
Jan 1, 2026: L 2-7 vs. Utah Mammoth (blown out; Dylan Guenther hat trick exposed defense).
Dec 31, 2025: W 4-2 at New York Rangers (strong third period; efficient scoring).
Dec 29, 2025: W 3-1 vs. Boston Bruins (Ilya Sorokin 32 saves; stifled offense).
Dec 27, 2025: OTL 3-4 vs. Florida Panthers (competitive but fell short in OT). Overall form: W-L-W-W-OTL, with a +2 goal differential in the last five. Home form is reliable (13-7-2), with recent wins featuring timely goals and solid netminding.
Series History
The New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders have a heated Metropolitan Division rivalry, with the Islanders holding a slight all-time edge at 158-132-22-18 in 330 regular-season meetings (including playoffs).
The Devils are 4-4-2 in the last 10 games, splitting recent series with close contests.
New Jersey has won 3 of the last 5 road games at UBS Arena, outscoring the Islanders by an average of 0.8 goals per game in those matchups. Games often trend under the total (6 of last 10 under 6 goals), averaging 5.4 combined goals, reflecting defensive battles in this rivalry.
Injury Report
New Jersey Devils:
Evgenii Dadonov (F): Out (lower-body; placed on IR December 11, 2025; expected extended absence).
Zack MacEwen (F): Out (lower-body; on IR since November 13, 2025).
No other major injuries reported, but monitor for day-to-day issues like illnesses affecting depth players.
New York Islanders:
Matthew Schaefer (D): Day-to-day (illness; missed practice January 5; game-time decision).
athlonsports.com +2
Alexander Romanov (D): Out (shoulder; on IR, expected to miss 5-6 months).
Bo Horvat (F): Questionable (lower-body; left January 1 game; monitor status as he leads the team in ice time).
Ilya Sorokin (G): Probable (undisclosed; returning from nagging injury).
The Islanders’ blue line is depleted, potentially forcing younger call-ups into key roles.
Key Player Matchups
This Metropolitan Division clash highlights offensive talent and defensive tests, with the Devils’ speed challenging the Islanders’ structure. Expect a focus on special teams and neutral-zone battles.
Nico Hischier (NJD, C) vs. Mathew Barzal (NYI, C): Hischier (team-leading points, strong faceoffs at 54%) anchors the Devils’ two-way play against Barzal’s speed and creativity (top Islanders scorer). Barzal’s agility could exploit gaps, but Hischier’s checking may limit transitions.
Jack Hughes (NJD, F) vs. Noah Dobson (NYI, D): Hughes (dynamic playmaker, 35+ points) tests Dobson’s shutdown defense (elite puck-mover). This forward-defender matchup could decide power-play success, with Hughes’ shot volume challenging Dobson’s positioning.
Jesper Bratt (NJD, F) vs. Brock Nelson (NYI, F): Bratt (recent multi-point games) brings scoring punch vs. Nelson’s veteran reliability (consistent goals). Their wing battle highlights secondary scoring in even-strength play.
Jacob Markstrom (NJD, G) vs. Ilya Sorokin (NYI, G): Markstrom (.905 SV%) aims for a rebound vs. Sorokin’s return (.912 SV%). Goaltending will be crucial in a projected low-scoring affair.
Betting Trends
New Jersey Devils: 20-22 ATS overall (10-10 ATS away). They’ve gone 22-20 on over/under (11-9 O/U away). Trends: 3-2 SU in last five, but 2-5 ATS as underdogs; under in 4 of last six road games; 4-1 SU in last five vs. Islanders.
New York Islanders: 22-20 ATS overall (12-10 ATS home). 21-21 on over/under (11-11 O/U home). Trends: 3-1-1 SU in last five, 4-2 ATS at home lately; over in 3 of last five vs. Metropolitan teams; 1-4 ATS in last five as favorites.
Head-to-Head: Devils 4-4-2 ATS in last 10; under in 6 of last 10 (average 5.4 goals); Islanders 5-5 SU at home in series. NHL trends: Home underdogs like Islanders (if line shifts) are 52% ATS vs. .500 teams; divisional games hit the under 55% with totals at 6.
Game Odds
New Jersey Devils – 120
New York Islanders 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 5, 2026
