Sorokin has NHL-leading 7th shutout, Islanders edge Blue Jackets

Immediately following the nullified goal, the pressure intensified at the Islanders' end of the rink. Sorokin faced a flurry of high-danger opportunities, including critical saves on close-range attempts by Cole Sillinger and Kirill Marchenko. These specific stops were vital, as they prevented the Blue Jackets from gaining the psychological advantage of equalizing the score late in the third period. Sorokin’s ability to track the puck through traffic and remain calm under extreme pressure proved to be the defining narrative of the night, ensuring that the lone goal from Horvat remained the difference-maker.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Blue Jackets opted to pull Greaves for an extra attacker with just over two minutes remaining in regulation. The final sequence was a defensive gauntlet for the Islanders, who faced sustained pressure from the Columbus offense. Sorokin, who tallied 13 of his 26 saves during the third period alone, acted as the final wall. His poise allowed the Islanders to clear the zone repeatedly, successfully defending the narrow lead until the clock reached zero and the final buzzer signaled a hard-fought victory.