Sorokin makes 26 saves, Islanders defeat Senators

ELMONT, N.Y. -- Ilya Sorokin made 26 saves for the New York Islanders in a 4-1 win against the Ottawa Senators at UBS Arena on Tuesday.

Sorokin saved the last 24 shots he faced after Nick Holden scored at 1:56 of the first period. He allowed four goals on 21 shots in a 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday.
"He was big again," Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield said. "He's been doing that all season for us. He makes the saves he has to, and then he makes the extra special ones, too. When he's going like that and we can provide some offense for him, it's a good night."
Mathew Barzal and Oliver Wahlstrom each scored his 10th goal of the season, and Mayfield had two assists for the Islanders (16-16-6), who had lost two straight.
"Obviously, I didn't like the start again, but once it was 1-0, the game sort of ramped up," New York coach Barry Trotz said. "I don't think they even had really a shot or a chance for about 17 minutes. I liked the response."

Anton Forsberg made 26 saves for the Senators (14-22-4), who were coming off a 3-2 overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday.
"Obviously, playing a back-to-back, all that stuff, that's all part of playing in the NHL," Holden said. "Everybody has to play these games, and that's something that I think as we play more of them, you learn how to play these games. You need to make sure you're taking what you're given. Sometimes you have to just change a little of how the game is going to how you're playing. So it's still learning stuff, I think."
Holden gave Ottawa a 1-0 lead when his shot from the left circle trickled in off Sorokin's shoulder.
Anthony Beauvillier tied it 1-1 at 18:07 of the first, jamming a loose puck near the crease five-hole on Forsberg shortly before a power play expired.
Sorokin kept the game tied when he stretched out his left pad to make a save against Alex Formenton on a breakaway at 7:35 of the second.
"We haven't really had the best starts in the past couple of games, but 'Soroky' was good all game," Beauvillier said. "He kept us in the game, big saves at key moments. He gave us a chance to win again tonight."
Wahlstrom then scored on a rebound after he redirected Zdeno Chara's shot to give the Islanders a 2-1 lead at 8:42, and Barzal made it 3-1 with a one-timer from the left circle off a cross-ice pass from Mayfield at 15:50.

Adam Pelech extended the lead to 4-1 at 7:44 of the third period when he took a pass from Mayfield and scored with a backhand during a 4-on-4.
"You have to be willing to play a real patient game against them and beat them 2-1. If you think you're going to come in here and get a bunch of goals, you're [going to] end up like we did and get one, or zero," Senators coach D.J. Smith said. "So again, give them credit. They had a lot of energy. I thought we pushed and we did everything we could. We just couldn't hang on long enough."
Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock was activated off long-term injured reserve and had three shots and three blocks in 15:08 of ice time. It was his first game since Nov. 15 because of a lower-body injury.
"It was a little different seeing the lineup we thought we'd have to start the year," Trotz said. "It's been a process for us this year. It's just been a very difficult year in a lot of ways, but it was good to see Ryan back in there."
NOTES: The Islanders will play here again Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken. The game was originally supposed to be played last Saturday before being postponed due to a snowstorm. … New York placed defenseman Robin Salo on the taxi squad to create a roster spot for Pulock. … Islanders center Casey Cizikas was 8-for-15 on face-offs in 15:55 of ice time after missing the game Sunday with a non-COVID illness. … Beauvillier has scored a point in each of the past eight wins he's been a part of since Dec. 16 (four goals, four assists). He was in NHL COVID-19 protocol for a 4-1 victory against the Buffalo Sabres on Dec. 30. … Islanders center Brock Nelson extended his point streak to four games (one goal, four assists). … Barzal has scored six points (three goals, three assists) in his past seven games. … Holden has scored two goals this season; each has come against the Islanders (Dec. 7 at Ottawa). … The Senators had killed 17 straight penalties prior to Beauvillier's goal.