The Upshot: Ilya Sorokin earns another shutout, but suffers 1-0 shootout loss to Flyers

HOW IT HAPPENED

Ilya Sorokin and Samuel Errson each recorded a shutout, but it was the Philadelphia Flyers earning a 1-0 shootout win over the New York Islanders on Saturday night at UBS Arena. Errson made 24 saves for Philadelphia and Tyson Foerster scored the lone goal in the fourth round of the shootout to lift the Flyers to the win and end their two-game losing streak. Sorokin had 40 saves for the Isles in his second shutout of the year and 18th of his career. Bo Horvat, Oliver Wahlstrom, Mathew Barzal, and Kyle Palmieri were all unable to convert in the shootout for the Isles (8-6-6), who have points in six straight games but saw their win streak end at three games.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Ilya Sorokin needed to be the Islanders' best player on the ice with the team looking fatigued and was exactly that. This is now two straight starts, both against the Flyers, where Sorokin has looked more like the goaltender who finished as the Vezina runner-up last season. He was tracking the puck well from the start of the game, his positioning was improved, and his rebound control was solid.

The Isles need Sorokin to get and stay hot and go on a run as they face adversity on the blueline with multiple injuries. With the Islanders down Adam Pelech for at least the next nine games and the extent of Sebastian Aho's injury unknown, Samuel Bolduc and Grant Hutton held their own overall, playing limited minutes compared to the same four defensemen who all logged around or over 30 minutes the prior night in Ottawa. Mike Reilly, claimed off waiver from Florida, will be another option once he joins the team. Reilly provides a veteran presence, having over 300 games in his NHL career.

WHAT WENT WRONG

The Isles were playing their third game in four nights and while the players won't make excuses and will point towards execution, they looked noticeably tired throughout the game. That didn't mean they didn't have their chances, especially in overtime.

Simon Holmstrom and Bo Horvat each had point-blank opportunities, but Holmstrom missed the net trying to go short-side, and Horvat couldn't beat Errson stick-side coming in all alone down the slot. The Isles' troubles in the shootout continued, with less than inspiring tries, especially from Palmieri, who didn't get a shot off. Brock Nelson, the team's leading scorer, was not selected to be among the first four shooters.

STATS OF THE GAME

Per NHL PR, Ilya Sorokin became the eighth NHL goaltender to debut since 1929-30 (when forward passing permitted inside all three zones) with 18 shutouts prior to his 150th career appearance.

SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENT OF THE GAME

Before puck drop, the Islanders held a pre-game ceremony to commemorate Cal Clutterbuck playing in his 1,000th NHL game on Wednesday night. Following a tribute video, the team presented Clutterbuck with a signed 1,000 Isles sweater and a framed drawing from sports illustrator Tony Capparelli before posing for a team photo.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Islanders are back in action on Tuesday night when they travel to Newark to battle the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. Face-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET.