### Islanders' Stellar Defense and Sorokin's Shutout Propel Them to Victory Over Oilers The New York Islanders secured a narrow 1-0 victory against the Edmonton Oilers on January 16, 2026, thanks to a remarkable performance by goaltender Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin recorded his NHL-leading fifth shutout of the season, making 35 saves throughout the game. The only goal came from Anthony Duclair in the third period during a power play, assisted by Mathew Barzal, who reached a career milestone of 500 points. This win marked a significant turnaround for the Islanders, who had previously struggled in Edmonton, breaking a six-game losing streak at Rogers Place. Notably, Connor McDavid's impressive 20-game point streak came to an end during this match, while Leon Draisaitl nearly equalized with a shot that hit the post in the final moments of the game. The Islanders improved their record to 2-1-1 on their current seven-game road trip [https://apnews.com/article/islanders-oilers-score-sorokin-35cedeade17e791b1417a156ef0958f5, https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/islanders-1-oilers-0-sorokin-050429926.html, https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/sorokin-islanders-snap-mcdavids-20-043923123.html]. ### Breakdown of the Game's Key Elements 1. **Goaltending Excellence**: - Ilya Sorokin's performance was pivotal, achieving his fifth shutout of the season with 35 saves. - Connor Ingram, the Oilers' goaltender, also performed admirably with 17 saves, but was unable to secure a win. 2. **Crucial Scoring Moment**: - Anthony Duclair scored the only goal of the game during a power play in the third period. - Mathew Barzal's assist on the goal marked his 500th career point. 3. **Impact on Players**: - Connor McDavid's 20-game point streak was halted, a significant event given his status as one of the league's top players. - Leon Draisaitl's near-miss in the closing seconds highlighted the Oilers' struggle to capitalize on scoring opportunities. 4. **Team Performance**: - The Islanders have shown resilience, winning four of their last six games and breaking a previous losing streak in Edmonton. - The victory is crucial for the Islanders as they continue their road trip. ### Supporting Evidence and Statistics - **Game Statistics**: - **Shots on Goal**: Islanders 18, Oilers 36 - **Power Play Goals**: Islanders 1/3, Oilers 0/2 - **Goaltender Saves**: Sorokin 35, Ingram 17 - **Player Milestones**: - Mathew Barzal reached 500 career points in his 576th game, showcasing his consistent performance and importance to the team [https://abc7ny.com/post/sorokins-nhl-leading-fifth-shutout-duclairs-late-goal-lift-islanders-oilers-1-0/18412765, https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/game-recap-islanders-1-oilers-0-01-15-26]. ### Conclusion: A Defining Moment for the Islanders In summary, the New York Islanders' 1-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers was marked by Ilya Sorokin's outstanding goaltending and Anthony Duclair's timely goal. This game not only showcased the Islanders' defensive strength but also ended Connor McDavid's impressive point streak, highlighting the competitive nature of the NHL. The Islanders' ability to secure this win on the road is a positive sign as they continue their journey through a challenging schedule. 1. **Sorokin's Shutout**: His fifth of the season solidifies his status as a top goaltender. 2. **Duclair's Goal**: A crucial moment that secured the win and marked Barzal's milestone. 3. **McDavid's Streak Ends**: A significant event that reflects the game's competitive dynamics. 4. **Team Resilience**: The Islanders are gaining momentum, crucial for their playoff aspirations [https://globalnews.ca/news/11616100/sorokin-islanders-blank-oilers-1-0, https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-islanders-edmonton-oilers-game-recap-january-15-2026].