Backed by Sorokin's 25 saves, the Islanders defeated the Blue Jackets 3-1 in a key divisional matchup.
ELMONT NY -- Desperate to stay in the playoff race, the New York Islanders defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets by a score of 3-1 at UBS Arena Monday night.
Ilya Sorokin bounced back from a 5-3 loss last Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers -- and made 25 saves on 26 shots.
Bo Horvat scored two goals to propel the Islanders to the win, with Mathew Barzal recording the primary assists on both goals.
Here's how the game unfolded.
The Islanders penalty kill has been on a tear, entering Monday night 10-for-10. But, Sorokin and the penalty kill failed on their first chance of the night.
Kent Johnson beat Sorokin through a screen at 4:52 of the first with Anders Lee in the box to give Columbus a 1-0 lead:
The opening frame went scoreless from there, with Columbus leading in shots 7-6.
Just 32 seconds into the second period, Lee's wrap-around attempt deflected off Elvis Merzlikins’ stick and inched toward the goal line but ultimately stopped short.
On the next shift, a Barzal feed from behind the net went straight to Horvat.
He made no mistake, going up high for his 15th goal of the season:
After Casey Cizikas took at 1:31, the Isles headed to a key penalty kill. Yet, they were the ones to find the net.
Following a Zach Werenski turnover in the neutral zone, Jean-Gabriel Pageau collected the loose puck and started an odd-man rush alongside Simon Holmstrom.
Pageau sent Holmstrom a cross-ice feed and he buried it for his 10th goal of the season:
This was Holmstrom's sixth shorthanded goal since the start of the 2023-24 season.
The Islanders did not allow a shot on goal during the kill.
Leading by a goal, the Islanders had an opportunity to extend their lead when Noah Dobson drew an interference penalty on Adam Fantilli.
With Barzal controlling the puck, he raced behind the net and set up Horvat at the top of the crease, connecting for their second goal of the game:
This was the Islanders' third goal in 5:04 of play.
9:30 into the period, Isaiah George's point shot ricocheted off the boards, setting up Lee with a clear look, but Ivan Provorov's stick deflected the attempt behind the net.
Following two successful penalty kills midway through the period, the Islanders pushed for a fourth goal in the final minutes.
Brock Nelson unleashed a wrist shot deflected by Merzlikins’ blocker, Barzal tried to jam one in from the top of the crease, and Kyle MacLean’s sharp-angle attempt nearly found its way into the net.
Despite their chances, the Islanders couldn't build on their lead, finishing the period on top 3-1 after outshooting the Blue Jackets 12-10 in the frame.
Just over a minute into the third period, a Dobson hit on Cole Sillinger went haywire when he fell back on his right leg. He skated off on his own and immediately headed toward the locker room. He did not return.
The two sides exchanged chances in the following minutes, and matching roughing penalties to Pierre Engvall and Sean Kuraly sent the game to 4 on 4 hockey.
Neither team found the scoresheet in the two minutes.
With just over three minutes to go, Merzlikins headed to the bench for an extra skater.
At 2:24, Kirill Marchenko had a great look from in front of the net, but Sorokin stood tall with his 22nd save on the night.
The Blue Jackets continued to put shots on net but failed to score, with the Islanders ultimately coming out on top 3-1.
UP NEXT: The Islanders seven-game homestand continues on Friday night at 7:30 PM ET against the Flyers.