After believing they had played some good hockey this week, though with just one point in two games to show for it, the Islanders had another chance to win in a playoff-style atmosphere in New Jersey.
But if they keep struggling to close out games as they did again Saturday night, they might be in danger of missing out on the playoffsthat count.
The night got off to a stirring start with the jersey retirement of Patrik Elias, and the Devils ended it the same way, coming back for two goals in the third period to beat the Islanders, 2-1, at Prudential Center.