Islanders Beat Devils 2-1 on Pelech's Late Goal

Adam Pelech scored the game-winning goal with 1:15 remaining in regulation, lifting the New York Islanders to a 2-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Islanders and sent them into the NHL's three-day Christmas break on a high note.

Simon Holmstrom also scored for New York, while Brett Pesce tallied the lone goal for New Jersey. Goaltender David Rittich made 28 saves for the Islanders, earning first-star honors with several key stops, including a breakaway by Jack Hughes midway through the second period. Jacob Markstrom stopped 23 shots for the Devils, who suffered their second consecutive defeat.

The game remained scoreless until Pesce opened the scoring at 15:35 of the first period with his first goal of the season in his 13th game. The defenseman's wrister from the point beat Rittich, giving New Jersey a brief advantage in a tightly contested matchup marked by end-to-end action and strong forechecking from both sides.

New York responded in the second period, dominating possession with a 10-2 edge in high-danger chances. Holmstrom tied the score at 7:50 after capitalizing on a...