3 Takeaways: Sorokin Effort Gets Isles Point in 3-2 OT Loss to Sabres

Ilya Sorokin delivered an all-star caliber performance, but it was not enough, as the New York Islanders fell 3-2 to the Buffalo Sabres in overtime on Thursday night at KeyBank Center.
Sorokin, who was announced late in the game as the fans' choice to represent the Islanders at the 2023 NHL All-Star Weekend, stopped 42 of 45 shots in the OT loss, as the Islanders winless stretch reached three games (0-1-2).

"It's frustrating obviously, but we have to keep going," Matt Martin said. "We've been grinding and staying afloat, but not getting the job done either. We need to find a way to win hockey games. Our focus has to move to Saturday night and find a way to win that one.
Dylan Cozens scored the OT winner 12 seconds into the extra frame, capping a Sabres comeback in a game the Islanders led 1-0 and 2-1. Brock Nelson and Matt Martin scored for the Islanders, while Alex Tuch and Victor Olofsson scored in regulation for the Sabres.
With the loss, the Islanders dropped to 2-5-3 in their last 10 games. With 51 points, the Islanders are tied with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, but the Penguins have three games in hand.

SOROKIN SECURES POINT FOR ISLES:

Ilya Sorokin showed why he was
voted to the All-Star Game
on Thursday night.
Sorokin stopped 42-of-45 shots on Thursday, keeping the Islanders afloat on a night they were outshot 45-26, out-attempted 89-49, allowed 21 high-danger chances (in all situations, 18 at five-on-five) per Natural Stat Trick.
"That was probably one of [Sorokin's] better games to give us a chance to win in a game where we didn't control the play," Nelson said. "We had a number of chances to get the lead and keep it and maybe put it out of reach, but throughout the game, from the start he gave us a chance."
Sorokin was exceptional in the first period, stopping all 19 Sabres shots, including 11 that were deemed high-danger by Natural Stat Trick.

The first period highlight reel included a breakaway save on Tuch, a strong save on Rasmus Dahlin after the defenseman weaved his way through the Islanders' zone. In the second period he stretched out with the right pad to deny Tage Thompson and had another key save on Dahlin in the third.
It was hard to fault Sorokin on Tuch's goal, a cleanup play after a Dahlin point shot was blocked in font. Olofsson was left all alone after all five Islanders were caught on one side of the ice, before going high on Sorokin to tie the score at 9:32 of the third. In overtime, Dahlin air mailed a breakaway pass to Cozens, who went stick side for the winner.
Sorokin was informed about his all-star selection after the game and thanked fans for voting for him, but the goaltender wasn't interested in his consolation prize on the heels of a tough loss.
"I appreciate the fans who voted for me," Sorokin said. "But right now I'm focused on the game and not the all-star game."

NELSON SNAPS SKID, ISLES THIRD PERIOD DOUGHT CONTINUES:

Brock Nelson snapped a 14-game goal drought on Thursday, netting his first tally since Dec. 17 in Vegas.
Josh Bailey won a battle along the wall to get the puck cleared out of the Islanders zone, with Nelson dishing to Anthony Beauvillier for a zone entry at the Sabres line. Nelson b-lined right to the net, winning a race to be in position for a backdoor pass by Beauvillier.
SABRES 3, ISLANDERS 2 OT
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Postgame: Lambert

KINGER'S CALLS
Nelson's 16th of the Year
Martin Buries Cizikas Feed
The goal was Nelson's team-leading 16th of the season.
"I've had some looks, so it's nice to capitalize," Nelson said. "It was a great play by Beau to find the backside so it's nice to get one, but you'd like it to be in a win and feel better, but just try and continue to build your game."
Nelson had a team-high four shots on goal and also helped set up Beauvillier for a pair of chances to win the game for the Islanders. Beauvillier was denied by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen shortly before Olofsson's tying goal and Nelson set him up for another chance in the slot in the dying seconds of the third. Neither dropped, as the Islanders went without a third period goal for the eighth-straight game. The Islanders have been outscored 9-0 in the third period over that span.

LINEUP CHANGES:

William Dufour's loan to Bridgeport meant that at least one change was coming to the Islanders lineup on Thursday, while Hudson Fasching's late scratch with a lower-body injury was a little more unexpected.
That meant that Simon Holmstrom and Ross Johnston drew back into the lineup - Holmstrom after a one-game absence, while Johnston was in for the first time since Jan. 6.
Holmstrom skated alongside Zach Parise and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, while Johnston played with Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin. Cal Clutterbuck skated with Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee, while Anthony Beauvillier, Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey rounded out the remixed lines.
However, an upper-body injury to Clutterbuck in the second period left the Islanders a man short midgame. He is day to day per Lambert.

NEXT GAME:

The Islanders return home to take on the Carolina Hurricanes during Alumni Weekend. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.