Sorokin Secures NHL-Best Fifth Shutout, Stifles Oilers’ Offense
Ilya Sorokin showcased his skill once again as he led the New York Islanders to a narrow 1-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. The Russian goaltender recorded an impressive 35-save shutout, marking his league-best fifth shutout of the season and the 27th of his career.
Sorokin Stifles Oilers’ Offense
Despite being heavily outshot, the Islanders relied on Sorokin’s outstanding performance. Islander head coach Patrick Roy praised Sorokin for his crucial saves and acknowledged the importance of the win.
“Ilya was outstanding,” Roy said. “He made some great saves for us, and our power play came through with a big one.”
Game Highlights
The only goal of the match came from Anthony Duclair, who scored with just over six minutes left in the third period. It was a critical power-play goal, resulting from a strategic backhand pass from Calum Ritchie. This marked Duclair’s ninth goal of the season.
- Game Date: January 16, 2026
- Goalscorer: Anthony Duclair
- Saves by Sorokin: 35
- Saves by Edmonton’s goalie Connor Ingram: 17
- Islanders’ Power Play: 1 for 1
Sorokin needed some luck, as the Oilers threatened several times. Notably, Evan Bouchard’s shot at the start of the third period clanged off the crossbar and post, and in the dying seconds, Leon Draisaitl narrowly missed scoring with a shot that hit the post.
Stats and Records
This victory was significant for the Islanders, breaking a six-game losing streak in Edmonton. It also ended the Oilers’ impressive home record of 12-1-0 against the Islanders since the 2007-08 season.
Furthermore, forward Matthew Barzal reached a career milestone, collecting his 500th point in his 576th game. Barzal, the team’s leading scorer, emphasized the importance of teamwork in achieving this feat.
“A lot of credit to my teammates,” Barzal said. “It takes a lot of people, including my family, to reach a milestone like this.”
Impact Players
Even as the Oilers struggled to find the net, their performance should not go unnoticed. Jake Walman, a defenseman for Edmonton, commented on the caliber of goaltending present during the game.
“We had our chances, for sure,” Walman noted. “It was a goaltending game tonight.”
As for the Oilers, captain Connor McDavid’s remarkable 20-game point streak came to an end during this matchup. He had scored 19 goals and 27 assists during that stretch, joining legends Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey in the franchise’s record books.
With this victory, the New York Islanders improved their record to 26-16-5, winning four out of their last six games. The team’s strong performance also highlighted Ilya Sorokin’s vital role in their success.
