It finally happened. What am I referring to with “it”? Take your pick. Zach Parise scored his first goal as an Islander—on what would have been his late former Islander father’s 80th birthday—and it turned out to be the game-winner in the New York Islanders’ first win at UBS Arena at Belmont Park.
Yes, the Islanders beat the New Jersey Devils in regulation to win their first home game since June 23, 2021, when Anthony Beauvillier ended Game 6 against the Tampa Bay Lightning 1:08 into overtime. If that was the peak of Beauvillier’s career thus far, last night had to be the valley thus far, as Barry Trotz scratched him.