NJ Devils Fall 1-0 to Islanders as Shane LaChance Signs After NCAA Loss

The Devils lost 1-0 to the Islanders on Sunday at Prudential Center. It was their second-to-last home game of the regular season. Although the result didn’t change their playoff position, it added to a three-game losing streak. Their record is now 41-31-7, with 89 points. They remain third in the Metropolitan Division and will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs.

The Islanders had already been eliminated from playoff contention. Even still, the Devils could not create offense and were shut out at home. Despite securing a playoff spot, this kind of result doesn’t help momentum heading into the postseason. The Devils did not score, and chances were limited. The game lacked urgency, and with playoffs approaching, it raised some concerns.

On the same day, the Devils signed 21-year-old forward Shane LaChance to an entry-level contract. This came right after his season ended at Boston University. On Saturday, LaChance played in the NCAA National Championship Game, where BU lost 6-2 to Western Michigan at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis.

LaChance scored one goal in that game. He tapped in a power-play goal in the second period after winning a puck battle in front of the net. That goal made it 3-2, but BU didn’t score again. He finished his sophomore season with 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points in 40 games. Over two NCAA seasons, he had 25 goals, 32 assists, and 57 points in 80 games.

The Devils acquired LaChance from the Edmonton Oilers on March 4, 2025, in a three-team trade involving the Boston Bruins. The same trade included forward Trent Frederic. Edmonton originally drafted LaChance in the sixth round, 186th overall, in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Before playing college hockey, LaChance spent two seasons in the USHL with the Youngstown Phantoms. In the 2022-23 season, he scored 33 goals and added 21 assists in 62 games. He is listed at six-foot-five and 218 pounds. He is also the son of former NHL defenseman Scott LaChance, who played for the Islanders, Canadiens, Canucks, and Blue Jackets. Scott is now the Devils’ Head of U.S. Scouting.

Also, in the NCAA title game, Devils goaltending prospect Mikhail Yegorov played for Boston University. He allowed five goals on 27 shots. The Devils selected Yegorov in the second round, 49th overall, in the 2024 NHL Draft. The 19-year-old finished his freshman year with an 11-6-1 record and helped BU reach the national final.

Back in New Jersey, defenseman Dougie Hamilton returned to full practice on Saturday. Head coach Sheldon Keefe said he will likely be available for Game One of the playoffs. His return would be important for the Devils’ defense group, which has missed his presence since his injury.

As for the current leaders, Jesper Bratt leads the team with 88 points and assists with 67. Nico Hischier has the most goals with 35. Goalie Jacob Markstrom has a 26-16-6 record, a .900 save percentage, and a 2.50 goals-against average. Jack Hughes, who is out for the season, had 27 goals and 43 assists for 70 points before his injury.