Islanders Earn Important Win Over Blue Jackets

Ilya Sorokin's shutout performance leads New York to crucial victory in playoff race

Mar. 23, 2026 at 7:35am

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Ilya Sorokin stopped all 24 shots he faced and Bo Horvat's first-period goal was enough for the New York Islanders to edge the Columbus Blue Jackets 1-0 in a game with Eastern Conference playoff implications. The win snapped a two-game skid for the Islanders and moved them ahead of the Detroit Red Wings for the second and final wild card spot in the East.

Why it matters

The Islanders and Blue Jackets are locked in a tight race for playoff positioning in the Metropolitan Division, with both teams tied in points with the Pittsburgh Penguins. This hard-fought victory gives the Islanders a crucial two points as they look to secure a postseason berth.

The details

Horvat's goal early in the first period proved to be the difference, as Sorokin turned aside every shot he faced to record his seventh shutout of the season. The Blue Jackets had several chances to tie the game in the third period, but Sorokin stood tall to preserve the win. An Islanders goal late in the game was overturned due to goalie interference.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 23, 2026.
  • Horvat scored the game's lone goal at the 1:25 mark of the first period.

The players

Ilya Sorokin

The Islanders' starting goaltender, who recorded his 29th career shutout and seventh of the season.

Bo Horvat

The Islanders' forward who scored the game-winning goal in the first period.

Jet Greaves

The Blue Jackets' goaltender, who made 21 saves in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was a big game for us in the playoff race, and Ilya really stepped up and made some huge saves to keep us in it. It's a huge two points for us.”

— Bo Horvat, Islanders Forward

What’s next

The Islanders will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a playoff spot, with key divisional matchups against the Penguins and Red Wings coming up in the next two weeks.

The takeaway

Sorokin's stellar goaltending and Horvat's timely goal proved to be the difference in a tightly contested battle between two teams fighting for position in the crowded Eastern Conference playoff race.