3 Takeaways From Devils’ 6-0 Loss to Islanders

On Saturday, Oct. 3, the New Jersey Devils had their first road game of the 2026-27 season against the New York Islanders. After a strong performance in OT against the Philadelphia Flyers in their home opener on Oct. 1, the Devils were hoping to start up a win streak. Unfortunately, the Islanders had other plans.

The first period remained scoreless, despite two power-play chances for both teams. The Islanders scored first early in the second, and by the end of the 20-minute period, they were up by three goals. The third period was once again all Islanders, handing the Devils a 6-0 loss, their first of the season.

Daws Had a Rough First Game

Nico Daws earned his first start of the season in this game against the Islanders. But it didn’t go as he might have hoped. The Islanders scored five goals while he was in the crease. Head coach Sheldon Keefe kept Daws in net the entire game, only pulling him towards the end to get the extra attacker on the ice, which resulted in the Islanders securing their final goal in the empty net.

In the first period, Daws did a decent job of keeping the Devils in the game, making some great saves and stopping all nine shots the Islanders took. In the second period, he began to collapse. After the Islanders’ first goal and play resumed, the Islanders took another chance at a goal and lured Daws out of his crease. He lost sight of the puck, and with an open cage, the Islanders increased their lead.

Daws did what he could to try and keep the Devils in the game. The first period was a good effort, but he collapsed by the second. This was the season where Daws was supposed to finally go full-time in the NHL, but his first showing of the season wasn’t his best effort.

The Devils have options with their goaltending, as they also have Remi Poirier on their roster and David Rittich down with the Devils’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Utica Comets. If Daws continues to play as he did in this game, the Devils might need to find another backup for Jake Allen. However, it is still just the start of the season, and Daws should at least get another chance to prove that he has what it takes to be Allen’s backup.

Devils Need to Work on Special Teams

The Devils were given five power-play chances in this game and failed to convert on any of them. On top of these chances, their penalty kill didn’t hold strong, giving up a power-play goal to the Islanders to increase their lead by three goals. This was just the first power-play goal of the season the Devils gave up; however, their own power play needs major work.

The Devils had four power-play opportunities in their home opener and again failed to convert. If they can’t score on the extra-man advantage, how are they expected to score 5-on-5 (which they didn’t manage to do in this game)? Maybe Keefe needs to adjust the special teams, but regardless, the Devils’ special teams clearly need some work.

Devils Faced a Tough Loss But Can Come Back

This game marked just the second for the Devils in the 2026-27 season, and already they have their first loss. This one was a tough loss, since they didn’t score a single goal, and the Islanders really did a number on New Jersey with their six goals.

However, this is a long season. This game was just the second of 84. There are still plenty of games left in the season, and the Devils have time to pick themselves up and brush off the dust. New Jersey set a good tone on Thursday; they have time to get back into that frame of mind to keep their momentum going. This was just one loss; there’s no reason to panic yet.

Devils Head Back Home

The Devils will return to New Jersey and take on the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday, Oct. 6. With two days off between games, hopefully the Devils can regroup and get ready to get back in the win column. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM ET.