4/8 Pregame Notes: Devils vs. Islanders
New Jersey Devils (28-38-14) vs. New York Islanders (39-29-12) 6PM ET • Prudential Center • MSG • TOJN
by New Jersey Devils @NJDevils / newjerseydevils.com
DEVILS VS. ISLANDERS
Tonight is the fourth and final game between New Jersey and the NY Islanders this season. The Devils trail the season-series 1-2-0, but won the only game played thus far at Prudential Center (3-2, Feb. 18). The Devils were win-less at Barclays Center this season; falling, 4-6, on Feb. 19 and most recently, 1-2, on Mar. 31. New Jersey has not defeated the Islanders at Barclays Center since the club changed arenas in 2015-16 (0-5-1).
It is also New Jersey's final home game of 2016-17. The club is 21-9-3 in home-closers and is 16-14-3 overall in season-closing games. Tonight opens the Devils' 18th of 18 sets of back-to-back games. The Devils will end their 2016-17 season tomorrow at Joe Louis Arena (5PM). The club is 5-8-4 in first games and is 7-6-4 in second games of back-to-back contests.
Tonight also marks the Devils final game against a Metropolitan Division opponent this season. The Devils are 11-15-3 vs. the Metro Division and are 18-27-7 overall against the Eastern Conference.
Travis Zajac's 34pts (12g-22a) vs. NYI is the most he has against any other opponent (tie, also vs. Phi.).
ISLANDERS CONNECTIONS
Kyle Palmieri was born in Smithtown, NY…Keith Kinkaid hails from Farmingville, NY…Assistant Coach Alain Nasreddine spent two seasons, 2002-04, with the Islanders organization; he saw action in three NHL games with the club in 2002-03…Devils' Assistant GM Tom Fitzgerald was drafted by the Islanders in the first round (17th overall) in the 1986 NHL Draft and spent five seasons (1988-93) with the club…Stephen Gionta spent 10 seasons with the Devils' organization between the AHL and NHL and was a member of their 2012 Eastern Conference Championship team…Eric Boulton recorded 115 PIM in 51 games for New Jersey in 2011-12; he did not see any playoff action…Isles' Assistant Coach Bob Corkum played a combined 29 regular season & playoff games for New Jersey during the 2000-01 season…NYI Goaltending Coach Mike Dunham spent five seasons with the Devils' organization from 1993-1998 and won the AHL Calder Cup with the Albany River Rats in 1995.