NEW YORK – In a thrilling match on Tuesday night, Brock Nelson netted the decisive goal during the third period, leading the New York Islanders to a 2-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. This win marked the Islanders’ eighth triumph in their last nine games, showcasing their strong performance this season.

Nelson skillfully redirected a shot from defenseman Alexander Romanov into the net at 10:43 in the third, with Tony DeAngelo also credited with an assist on Nelson’s 16th goal of the season. Additionally, Bo Horvat found the net earlier in the game, contributing to the Islanders’ impressive record of 11 wins against only three losses since January 5.

The Golden Knights’ lone goal came from Brandon Saad, who found success with his eighth goal of the season at 7:40 in the third period, marking his first score since joining Vegas on January 31 after his previous contract with St. Louis was terminated. Meanwhile, Horvat opened the scoring for the Islanders with his 19th goal at 18:21 of the first period, slipping a backhand shot past goaltender Ilya Samsonov.

Recent struggles have plagued the Golden Knights, who suffered their fourth consecutive defeat. In their previous matchup, the Islanders had their seven-game winning streak snapped with a 6-3 loss to Florida.

New York’s roster was impacted by the absence of key player Mathew Barzal, who is sidelined due to a lower-body injury and has been placed on injured reserve. In goal for the Golden Knights, Samsonov made 12 saves, but it was Sorokin’s performance that stood out, as he recorded a total of 34 saves, securing his status as a formidable presence in net.

As for key takeaways from the match, the Golden Knights now sit at 12-11-3 on the road, with their record reflecting six losses in their last seven away games while maintaining a strong 19-6-3 at home. On the other hand, Sorokin’s win brought his season record to 20-14-4, marking the fourth consecutive year he has achieved 20 or more wins.

A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Sorokin made a crucial save against Ivan Barbashev with just over three minutes remaining, contributing to his streak of six consecutive wins in starts and seven overall appearances. Notably, Horvat has been a significant asset for the Islanders, scoring five goals in his last eight games and leading the team with a total of 40 points.

Looking ahead, the Islanders will travel to face the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, while the Golden Knights are set to meet the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.