Ilya Sorokin returned to the crease and reminded everyone why he’s the backbone of the New York Islanders. After missing a pair of games due to a lower-body injury, the goaltender turned aside all 25 shots he faced in a 1-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on Sunday. The shutout marked his fourth of the season and the 22nd of his NHL career — drawing him level with Islanders legend Billy Smith for second on the franchise’s all-time list.
For an Islanders side reeling from a painful stretch — just two wins in their previous eleven outings — this win was as much about pride as performance. Though mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in three seasons, New York found resolve, structure, and determination to claw out a result against a Devils squad bound for the postseason.
The lone breakthrough came late in the second period. Bo Horvat, who had an earlier goal disallowed for a hand pass, made no mistake this time, intercepting a miscue from Timo Meier in the slot and ripping a wrist shot past Jacob Markstrom with just 57 seconds left in the frame. It was a moment of alertness and poise in an otherwise defensive-heavy encounter.
New Jersey, meanwhile, struggled to generate any meaningful offence. Despite a strong start and a flurry of activity in the dying minutes, the Devils found themselves blanked for a second straight game, having now gone five consecutive periods without a goal. They remain third in the Metropolitan Division but appear to be limping into the playoffs rather than charging in.
Markstrom made 21 saves in goal for the Devils, who are now 4-4-0 in their last eight and have dropped three straight. Though the defensive effort held up, the attacking play lacked incisiveness, with too much time spent on the perimeter and too little puck presence in high-danger areas.
The game also saw a flashpoint moment in the second period when Islanders defenceman Adam Pelech left the ice after receiving an elbow to the face from Paul Cotter. The Devils forward was assessed a match penalty for the illegal hit to the head, and Pelech did not return. No immediate update was provided post-game on his condition.
For Sorokin, the clean sheet was more than a personal milestone — it was a much-needed reminder of what he brings to the team. His calm presence in net and flawless reflexes were central to neutralising a Devils attack that, for all its playoff potential, looked creatively flat on the night.
With only two regular season games remaining, New Jersey will be hoping to rediscover their scoring touch before the real battle begins. As for the Islanders, the playoffs may be out of reach, but performances like this show there’s still plenty of fight — and pride — left to play for.
