Islanders' Jean-Gabriel Pageau scores first goal of season, but is disappointed in loss to Devils
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 28: Jean-Gabriel Pageau #44 of the New York Islanders celebrates his second period goal against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on November 28, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images/Bruce Bennett
NEWARK — Jean-Gabriel Pageau had waited all season for his first goal. Now, he didn’t want to talk about it.
“That’s not really what I’m thinking about right now,” Pageau said after the Islanders blew a two-goal lead in the third period and lost 5-4 to the Devils on Tuesday night at Prudential Center. “I like when we’re winning and that one stings.”
Pageau gave the Islanders a 4-2 lead at 13:05 of the second period as he cut to the left post and took a no-look feed from Mathew Barzal in the slot to jam in the puck. After going his first 21 games without a goal, it was no surprise Pageau appeared to have a mixture of elation and relief as he celebrated.
Pageau took three shots in 15:15 as he played with Oliver Wahlstrom and Simon Holmstrom on his wings. Coach Lane Lambert elevated Anders Lee from Pageau’s line after seven games — switching him with Holmstrom — to Bo Horvat’s top line with Barzal.
Bo on Beau
Former Islander Anthony Beauvillier, sent to the Canucks on Jan. 30 as part of the package to acquire Horvat, was traded again on Tuesday, going to Chicago for a fifth-round pick.
“He’s going to get more opportunity there,” Horvat said. “I think he’ll really bring a lot of speed and offense to that team.”
Isles files
Defenseman Mike Reilly logged 10:42 and was a minus-2 in his Islanders’ debut. “He probably wants the first turnover back,” Lambert said of the Devils’ first goal. “Overall, I thought he was OK.” Reilly also quarterbacked the second power-play unit . . . Left wing Matt Martin was a healthy scratch after being activated off injured reserve . . . Devils goalie Vitek Vanecek allowed four goals on 18 shots in 33:05, the first time this season the Islanders have forced a goalie from the game.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
