The New York Islanders defeated the Dallas Stars 2-1 at UBS Arena on March 27, moving back into the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
The result is significant for the Islanders as it places them back in a playoff position with 87 points. The team surpassed the Ottawa Senators, who now have 86 points, and are closely trailing other division rivals in a competitive race for postseason spots.
Bo Horvat and Cal Ritchie scored for the Islanders, while Matthew Schaefer provided two assists. Goaltender Ilya Sorokin made 26 saves. Matt Duchene scored Dallas’s only goal, and Jake Oettinger recorded 23 saves in defeat. The victory completed a season sweep of Dallas by New York for the second time in three seasons.
Sorokin said after the game, “Everyone understood it’s a big moment in the season, and everybody knows what to do. We should enjoy a game, and if we enjoy a game, we show our best game.” Horvat added about holding onto their lead: “It’s definitely a nice cushion to have, but at the same time, you can’t sit back by any means. I thought we did a good job of that, especially in the third period, pushing for it.”
Horvat reached his fourth career 30-goal season with his opening score and is now one goal away from reaching 300 career goals. Schaefer’s shot led to Ritchie’s goal early in the third period. Sorokin played an important role stopping key chances from Dallas attackers throughout all three periods.
Ryan Pulock returned after missing two games due to injury and contributed an assist along with three blocked shots during more than twenty minutes on ice. “It felt good, just good to be back,” Pulock said. “This time of year [when you] miss games, it doesn’t sit well… So to get back out there go to war with these guys… big win.” Simon Holmstrom praised Sorokin’s performance: “He’s proven night in and night out that he’s by far the best goalie in this league.”
Looking ahead, New York will continue its homestand against Florida Panthers on Saturday.
