Takeaways: Eiserman Lifts Isles to 5-4 OT Win Over Devils in Rookie Scrimmage

Cole Eiserman scored the OT winner with 56.4 seconds to play in the extra frame as the New York Islanders beat the New Jersey Devils 5-4 in a Rookie Scrimmage on Sunday at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House.

Eiserman also scored the game-tying goal with 1:21 to play to force the extra frame. Daniil Prokhorov scored the Islanders’ first two goals, while Victor Eklund rounded out the scoring.

Matyas Melovsky scored twice for New Jersey, while Mikael Diotte and Luke Wilfley also scored for the Devils.

TAKEAWAYS

The Islanders top prospects came through on Sunday.

Cole Eiserman, the 20^th-overall pick in 2024, lived up to his rep as a goal scorer as he netted the game-tying and game-winning goals.

His game-winner was as you’d expect from the forward whose shot is his calling card, as he cut to the middle and snapped a low shot by Jakub Malek. His game-tying goal wasn’t as flashy, but showed a willingness to go to the hard areas, depositing a Ryan Healey rebound.

“I haven't scored in a real game in a while, so it felt good to do that,” Eiserman said. “Even though it's a scrimmage, it's still momentum, and it feels good no matter what game it is.”

For all the talk about Eiserman’s shot – Victor Eklund had the shot of the day, slinging a shot high short side on Malek to give the Isles a 3-2 lead in the third.

“It was unbelievable,” Eiserman said of Eklund’s goal. “I think it was kind of a new-school net. I think if it was an old school one, it would have been off the back bar and out pretty fast.”

Eklund said his shot had been a focus over the summer. While the speed and accuracy of the shot impressed the Isles prospects, Eklund’s ability to disguise his shot on the play impressed Hamilton Hammers Head Coach Jay McKee.

“He's a deceptive player,” McKee said. “He can look one way and shoot the other. I don't think anyone knows what he's doing with the puck. He's got the ability to make some great passes as well, so the goalie has to respect the pass at the same time. It was a bit of a laser.”

Daniil Prokhorov made his presence felt on Sunday, scoring a pair of goals for the Islanders.

The 2025 second-round pick (42^nd overall) opened the scoring at 5:56 of the second period and later tied the score 2-2 1:55 into the third period.

The 6’6”, 234 lbs. forward bullied his way to the net on both goals, burying a centering feed from Luca Romano on the first goal. On the second, Prokhorov took the puck to the net and posted up, later deflecting a point shot and cleaning up the loose rebound. McKee noted his quick step speed as an asset to get to the net, in addition to his size.  

“He's got sort of a fast twitch muscle group for a big guy, which you don't see very often,” McKee said. “There's a lot to work with there.”

He didn’t seem fazed by the physicality on Sunday, which bodes well for his first season in North America.

Vladimir Dravecky looked comfortable with the puck on Sunday, starting his afternoon with a nifty pokecheck and spin-o-rama to set up a chance in the offensive zone. The self-described offensive defenseman looked poised with the puck in the offensive zone, including a few crisp passes and keep-ins on a first period power play.

It was a physical game, with the rookies looking to make an impression on their respective staffs. Tomas Poletin took probably the biggest hit of the game from New Jersey’s 2024 first-round pick – and 6’7” defenseman – Anton Silaev in the first period. Eiserman said it was good, hard hockey and he was happy with how the team stood up for each other after only being together for the first few days of camp.

“I thought the tempo was high, the physicality was high, and that's good for the guys,” McKee said.

Josh Kotai started the game and kept a clean sheet for the Isles, but didn’t see a ton of shots. Burke Hood allowed four goals, two pretty quickly after he entered the game cold and two more on some broken coverages, but came up with a desperation save in overtime to keep the Isles alive.