EDMONTON, Alberta (Interstat) — Ilya Sorokin stopped all 35 shots he faced for his second shutout in three starts, backstopping the New York Islanders to a 1-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night. The game’s only goal came at 3:39 of the third period when Anthony Duclair converted a wrist shot, assisted by Calum Ritchie and Mathew Barzal. Sorokin was the decisive factor, outdueling Edmonton’s Connor Ingram, who made 17 saves. The Oilers, held scoreless at home for the first time this season, went 0 for 2 on the power play. Leon Draisaitl took a tripping penalty in the third period for Edmonton. The Islanders improved to 26-21, while the Oilers fell to 23-25. An announced crowd of 18,144 at Rexall Place watched the defensive struggle.

EDMONTON, Alberta (Interstat) — Ilya Sorokin turned aside all 35 shots he faced for his third shutout of the season, backstopping the New York Islanders to a grinding 1-0 victory over the frustrated Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night. Anthony Duclair broke a scoreless deadlock with just 24 seconds remaining in regulation, lifting the Islanders to a crucial road win at Rexall Place. The victory improved New York’s record to 26-21, while the Oilers fell to 23-25. Sorokin, the game’s undisputed first star, was spectacular throughout, repeatedly denying an Edmonton attack that fired 18 shots in the first period, 10 in the second and seven in the third. His most crucial sequence came late in the second period during an Oilers power play, where he made a series of rapid-fire saves, including stops on Vasily Podkolzin and Ty Emberson, to preserve the tie. The Islanders’ offense was largely stifled by Edmonton netminder Connor Ingram, who made 17 saves. The game appeared destined for overtime until a late offensive-zone faceoff for New York. With 42 seconds left, rookie center Calum Ritchie won a draw against Leon Draisaitl back to Mathew Barzal at the right point. Barzal quickly fed Duclair, who was circling into the high slot. The veteran winger snapped a wrist shot that beat Ingram cleanly over the glove for his ninth goal of the season, sending the announced crowd of 18,144 into stunned silence. The goal was a rare moment of offensive clarity in a game defined by defensive structure, blocked shots and missed opportunities. Edmonton’s top offensive threats were held in check, with Connor McDavid registering five shots but unable to solve Sorokin. Draisaitl was held to one shot and took a key tripping penalty in the third period. Defenseman Evan Bouchard led all skaters with six shots on goal, hitting the post once in the third period. The Islanders, playing the second game of a Western Canada road trip after a 5-4 loss in Winnipeg on Tuesday, were outshot 35-18 but were efficient in their limited chances. They killed off both penalties they took, including a third-period tripping call against Emil Heineman. Edmonton’s power play, which entered the game as one of the league’s best, went 0 for 2. The Oilers also failed to capitalize on numerous even-strength chances, with Sorokin robbing Zach Hyman, Kasperi Kapanen and Matt Savoie on multiple occasions. The loss extended a pattern of frustration for the Oilers against the Islanders, who also won the previous meeting between the teams 4-2 on Oct. 16 in New York. Edmonton has now lost four of its last six games. The game’s statistical projection heavily favored the Oilers. National Statistical’s game simulator had predicted a 3-2 Edmonton victory, and its ELO system gave the Oilers a 59.9% probability to win. Edmonton was also installed as a -1.5 pregame favorite. The total of one goal went well under the over/under line of 6.5. The Islanders continue their road trip Saturday in Calgary against the Flames. The Oilers, meanwhile, will look to rebound quickly as they head to Vancouver to face the Canucks on Saturday before returning home to host the St. Louis Blues on Sunday.

Islanders, Oilers Meet in Key Interconference Clash EDMONTON, Alberta (Interstat) — Two teams trending in opposite directions will clash when the New York Islanders visit the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place on Thursday night. The Islanders (25-20-0) arrive in Western Canada riding a wave of momentum, having secured seven wins in their last 10 outings. They are fresh off a 4-3 overtime victory in Minnesota on Saturday, powered by a three-point night from forward Simon Holmstrom. New York’s offense has been potent, highlighted by a 9-0 rout of New Jersey on Jan. 6. Holmstrom enters as a player to watch, carrying a hot stick with five goals and three assists in his last nine games. His recent surge has been a key component of the Islanders’ climb. Conversely, the Oilers (23-23-0) have struggled for consistency, splitting their last 10 games evenly. They are looking to build on a 4-1 road win in Chicago on Monday. Defenseman Evan Bouchard, who had two goals and an assist in that victory, anchors Edmonton’s attack from the blue line. Bouchard has been a force, tallying nine points (4 goals, 5 assists) in his last nine contests. This matchup is a rematch of an Oct. 16 meeting on Long Island, which the Islanders won 4-2. Edmonton will seek to avenge that loss and leverage home ice to push back to the .500 mark. The game pits New York’s winning record and recent high-scoring performances against an Edmonton squad reliant on its star power and seeking stability. The Islanders’ current road trip continues in Calgary on Saturday, while the Oilers host a six-game homestand, facing Vancouver next. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST.