Islanders 3 (EN), Devils 0: Wall of Greiss protects 1st in the Metro

The New York Islanders extended their winning streak to five, kept the visiting New Jersey Devils in their slump, and took over first place (8-4-1) in the Metro with a 3-0 win in Brooklyn Saturday night.

Thomas Greiss starred in a shutout role, continuing a goaltending renaissance the Isles have experienced over the opening month of the season. Things could have easily gone either way in this game, but the Isles made an early power play count and Greiss was flawless.

The win also made them 6-0-0 against Metro opponents so far, tying their best divisional start since the final dynasty year of 1982-83 when they were in the Patrick Division.

Jordan Eberle opened scoring on the power play 7:43 into the game, and the Isles rode that lead the rest of the way, not picking up insurance goals until the final five minutes of the third. The penalty kill was a perfect four for four.

[Game Sum | Event Sum | Natural Stat Trick | HockeyViz | Corsica]

• Greiss’ shutout continued a roll for him, stopping 102 of 105 shots over his last three starts. He was poised and steady all night, and stood tall on several high-quality Devils chances, including stopping Taylor Hall on a 2-on-0.
• Brock Nelson scored his team-leading eighth goal of the season — and kept Brocktober alive into a new month.
• Josh Bailey had two assists, extending his point streak to eight games.
• Nelson’s goal at 15:06 of the third period made things comfortable, but Scott Mayfield added the final tally with an empty netter from his own goal line after Valtteri Filppula made another series of good penalty kill plays to help seal Greiss’ shutout.
• Mayfield’s goal came at 6-on-4, with Leo Komarov in the penalty box for delay of game after he tried to buy time before a faceoff.
• Eberle’s goal came off some patient work, and persistence on a rebound, for the power play unit:

Nelson’s goal was a snipe we’ve seen a lot from him. Fed on the stretch by Bailey, he had Anders Lee as a passing option and elected to beat Keith Kinkaid inside the post:

Alumni Night

It was also Alumni Weekend with the Isles. Glad they gave these guys a show:

Next Up

The Montreal Canadiens, also off to a surprising start, visit on Monday.