New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin returned after a potential injury scare and made 25 saves to shut out the New Jersey Devils 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at the Prudential Center.
Sorokin, who suffered a lower-body injury during Tuesday’s loss to the Nashville Predators, had missed each of the last two games and realistically could have sat out the remainder of the regular season after the Islanders (35-33-12, 82 points) were eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday night in Philadelphia.
Instead, he recorded his 22nd career shutout, which ties him for second all-time in franchise history with the legendary Billy Smith, who backstopped the Islanders to four straight Stanley Cup titles from 1980 to 1983. Only Chico Resch (25) has more.
Bo Horvat provided the only goal of the game, which came with just 57 seconds remaining in the second period, thanks to an egregious turnover from Devils forward Timo Meier.
While attempting to break out of their own zone, Meier attempted to make a lateral pass toward the left circle toward defenseman Brett Pesce. He did not see Horvat, though, who stole the puck and snapped a wrister over the glove of New Jersey netminder Jacob Markstrom.
Horvat nearly had a goal in the first period when he batted a floating puck out of mid-air into the net, but it was deemed that he hit it in with his glove — a decision that was upheld following an official review.
The Islanders could only muster 22 shots on Markstrom’s net despite having three power plays, including a five-minute major when Devils forward Paul Cotter hit defenseman, Adam Pelech, in the jaw with his shoulder six minutes into the second period. It was deemed a match penalty after review.
A bloodied Pelech, who suffered a significant cut on his face, did not return to the game and was visibly upset upon his exit, slamming his helmet to the ice while cursing Cotter.
Just two games remain in the Islanders’ disappointing season. They return to UBS Arena on Tuesday night to face the Washington Capitals before ending the year in Columbus on Thursday against the Blue Jackets.
