The Upshot: Sorokin saves 49 in Islanders 3-0 shutout win over the Edmonton Oilers

HOW IT HAPPENED

Behind a career-high 49 saves from Ilya Sorokin, the Islanders shut out the Edmonton Oilers 3-0 on Wednesday night at UBS Arena. The shutout was Sorokin’s second of the season, and he had to work for it, making 24 saves in the third period. The Isles (13-8-0) scored three times in the second period. JG Pageau scored both a short-handed and power-play goal, and Sebastian Aho converted a pass from Oliver Wahlstrom to extend the lead to three.

Jack Campbell made 25 saves for Edmonton (10-10-0) in the loss. Zach Hyman led the team with 11 shots on goal. 2019 1st-round pick Simon Holmstrom made his NHL debut for the Islanders.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Sorokin was dialed in all night. We've grown accustom to seeing one, if not multiple acrobatic saves a night when he's able to display his elite flexibility and athleticism. But on this night, his body and rebound control were other worldly. The 27-year-old now has 12 shutouts in just 89 career games, already fifth on the all-time Islanders list.

Stepping in for Kyle Palmieri (day-to-day, upper body) Simon Holmstrom didn't look out of place in his NHL debut, logging 11:11 of ice-time in his NHL debut. The 2019 1st round pick showed good poise, an active stick and played responsibly in his own zone, showing strong work and positioning along the boards. If Palmieri remains out, would expect Holmstrom to get a longer look.

WHAT WENT WRONG

The Islanders played with fire a bit during the third period, taking three consecutive minor penalties that gave the dangerous Oilers power-play a chance to get them back in the game. But the Islanders' penalty kill went 5-for-5 against the second-ranked power play in the NHL.

Aided by the man advantage, Edmonton had 24 shots-on-goal in the third period but couldn't break through against Sorokin and were shut out for the second time this season. 14 of their 49 shots came on the power play. “When you get three kills in the third period with a team down 3-0 trying to press with two of the best offensive players in the world, [Sorokin] was there for every second of it," said Cal Clutterbuck after the game.

STATS

Per NHL PR, Ilya Sorokin recorded 49 saves en route to his second shutout of the season. Only two goaltenders in Islanders history made as many saves in a shutout: Glenn Healy (51 on Jan. 16, 1990) and Jaroslav Halak (50 on Feb. 15, 2018).

Jean-Gabriel Pageau recorded the seventh instance in Islanders history have a player scoring a shorthanded and power-play goal in a five-minute span (regular season or playoffs. He joined Zach Parise on April 12, 2022, Pierre Turgeon on April 8, 1994, Brent Sutter on March 31, 1990, Patrick Flatley on Dec 23, 1987, Bob Bourne on March 13, 1984 and Denis Potvin on April 11, 1974

SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENT OF THE GAME

The wedding proposal on opening night (was it real?!?!) didn’t end well, but last night it was the first gender reveal at UBS Arena. Orange for a girl, blue for a boy. This went much better.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Islanders are in Columbus on Friday night to take on the Blue Jackets. Puck drop is at 8 p.m.