Pageau, Sorokin lead Islanders to four-1 win more than Sharks

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Jean-Gabriel Pageau had a target and an help, Ilya Sorokin stopped 29 shots for his 25th win of the season, and the New York Islanders beat the San Jose Sharks four-1 Saturday evening.

Kyle Palmieri, Ryan Pulock, and Zach Parise also scored for the Islanders. Pierre Engvall extended his point streak to 4 games with an help on Pulock’s target. New York moved two points ahead of Pittsburgh for the initial wild card in the Eastern Conference.

“I just feel we attempt and play our game which has some physicality to it for positive,” Islanders coach Lane Lambert mentioned. “They’re a speedy group that has some talent. So we attempt and play physical against these teams. So there was a bit of style to it.”

Kevin Labanc scored his 12th target of the season for the Sharks and Kaapo Kahkonen produced 29 saves in his 17th loss of the season.

Labanc gave the Sharks the lead 7:31 into the initial period beating Sorokin more than the blocker.

“I’m just attempting to assist the group win,” Labanc mentioned. “We’re all attempting to do our component and attempting to play as really hard as we can. Some guys are playing for contracts, and some guys are playing for pride.”

Pageau got his 12th of the season with a brief-handed tally to tie it with three:52 left in the initial. He beat San Jose defenseman Erik Karlsson to the front of the net and reduce to his forehand to beat Kahkonen.

“I saw a small opening there. I was just attempting to take it to the net. I missed my initial opportunity, but I was delighted the second 1 went in,” Pageau mentioned.

Palmieri gave the Islanders a two-1 lead at two:18 of the second with a good deflection of Scott Mayfield’s shot from the point. It was Palmieri’s 12th.

The Islanders capitalized on their fourth energy play of the evening when Pulock took a 1-timer soon after the puck came off the boards and beat the Kahkonen higher far side at five:24 of the middle period. It was Pulock’s fourth.

“I feel that is been quite crucial for us. The final month, month and a half, two months, we’ve been winning hockey games that we’ve been seriously fantastic in the neutral zone. Defensively, we’ve been quite sound, and that is turning an offense for us,” Parise mentioned.

Parise deflected Alexander Romanov’s shot at five:19 of the third. Parise now has 18 objectives this season.

“I believed the fourth target seriously demoralized us. I believed, if we’re capable to get that subsequent 1, all of a all of a sudden, it is a three-two hockey game, and then the third period may possibly take on a unique which means to it,” Sharks coach David Quinn mentioned. “But, sadly, we weren’t capable to get that.”

PRIDE Evening AT THE TANK

Sharks goalie James Reimer declined to participate in warm-ups as San Jose hosted its annual pride evening. Reimer and the Sharks released statements with regards to the goalie’s choice not to put on the rainbow pride warm-up jersey.

“In this distinct instance, I am picking not to endorse one thing that is counter to my private convictions, which are primarily based on The Bible, the highest authority in my life,” Reimer’s statement study.

The San Jose Sharks stated that they will continue to assistance the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood but accepts the correct for each player to express their beliefs.

UP Subsequent:

Islanders: Host Toronto on Tuesday evening.

Sharks: At Edmonton on Monday evening.

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