Blues 1, Islanders 0 (OT): Goalie assist helps end goalie duel
“It’s not your fault...it’s not your fault.” | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
The Islanders get a point to finish a 1-1-1 road trip, but Ilya Sorokin deserved a little better. Blues winger Jake Neighbors scored 2:04 into overtime to hand the New York Islanders a 1-0 loss in St. Louis, concluding the Isles’ road trip at 1-1-1.
The 0-0 regulation score masks what was actually a scoring chance-heavy game with Ilya Sorokin (29 saves) and Joel Hofer (34 saves) each shining in their creases. The teams’ top lines each had moments that could’ve changed the story in all three periods, but for a post or a puck being scooped out just inches from the goal line.
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Bo Horvat and Brock Nelson — credited with five shots on goal — had the Isles’ closest chances, with Nelson undressing fellow Minnesotan Justin Faulk in a move reminiscent of his highlight goal in Colorado. Noah Dobson registered six shots though none particularly memorable. Ryan Pulock had a 96 mph blast stopped by Hofer’s shoulder.
The Blues had a would-be tap-in stopped in the opening minutes and forced some acrobatics out of Ilya Sorokin throughout the game. The most memorable may have been where Sorokin used his blocker glove to cover a puck on the goal line, with eventual game winner Neighbors jamming away. (Alex Romanov stepped into object, leading tocoincidental roughing calls.) Overall, the Blues’ top line used outside speed to push the Isles back on the rush, but Sorokin’s positioning and tracking was always on form.
The Isles had two power plays with nothing impressive in the second period — in part because Hofer’s puck handling turned any dump-in into an instant clear. But hey, at least the penalty kill was 1 for 1! Progress.
Refreshingly, the third period was played assertively rather than conservatively, with both opposite-conference teams trying to generate chances until the final 10 seconds of regulation rather than just bottling it up for bonus-point overtime.
The Islanders had more of possession in overtime, regrouping to keep the Blues from changes during the stretches that weren’t interrupted by a whistle. But when the Blues got a possession with a chance to regroup, Hofer played a role by acting like a fourth skater, surveying his options with the puck above the Blues’ crease and then banking a pass off the boards to start the counterattack.
NEIGHBOURS CALLS GAME. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/nTOE4fW9qv— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) October 18, 2024
Hofer received the second assist on Neighbors’ winner, which was perfectly redirected to kiss off the inside post, just beyond the reach of Sorokin’s outstretched legs. The middle man, and no doubt a talking point in Alberta, was ex-Oiler RFA offer sheet signing Philip Broberg: his perfect dish to Neighbors gave him points in his first five games as a Blue.
Key Takeaway
So despite the loss, Sorokin’s performance is a really good sign. Coming off back surgery, to look so good and to be able to do it in back-to-back starts (albeit with couple days in between) is a sign he can be back to stealing games this season.
Up Next
The Islanders are back home Saturday to host the Canadiens at 7 p.m....
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