Bo Horvat scored in overtime to give the New York Islanders a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on Saturday. Horvat’s goal came at 4:20 of the extra period after he received a pass from Matthew Schaefer, broke past the San Jose defense, and scored with a backhand shot through Yaroslav Askarov’s legs.
“We had a really good first period. Ilya (Sorokin) made some really good saves,” Islanders coach Patrick Roy said. “That was a big overtime goal by Bo and a great play by Schaefer to give us that breakaway.”
Tony DeAngelo also contributed with a goal for the Islanders, who ended a two-game losing streak. Sorokin recorded 30 saves during the game.
“I thought we played a solid game all around,” Islanders forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau said. “Both goalies were really good. A lot of blocked shots from the guys. A lot of sacrifice. We finished with the extra point, so it was huge.”
Macklin Celebrini scored for San Jose, marking his third consecutive game with a goal. The Sharks have earned points in their last five games, posting three wins and two overtime losses in that span. Askarov stopped 32 shots for San Jose.
“Some things we did well, and it’s a tough game out there. You gotta fight for ice,” Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said. “That’s a good team there. They defend really hard. Obviously got us in a back to back as well. So, you know, I thought our guys grinded.”
DeAngelo opened scoring for New York midway through the first period when his wrist shot from near the right circle deflected off Askarov’s glove and into the net.
“They are massive points,” DeAngelo said. “Huge for us. Just controlling the puck, we’re not giving up too much. Really good job.”
Celebrini tied it early in the second period after receiving passes from John Klingberg and Will Smith before beating Sorokin with a wrist shot.
“Just gotta keep playing,” Celebrini said. “Couple tough losses last two games, and right there, I think we just need to capitalize on our chances.”
Brayden Schenn appeared in his first game as an Islander after being acquired from St. Louis on Friday, recording one shot in over 17 minutes of ice time.
“Played a really good game,” Roy said. “Had a really solid start. I was very happy with his game. I’m sure for him 10 years in St. Louis, I know it’s not his first trade, I thought that he played really well in that circumstance.”
The Islanders became only the second team in NHL history to win each of their first nine or more games decided in overtime to start a season; only the Golden Knights achieved this previously during their 2020-21 campaign (9-0). Schaefer’s assist on Horvat’s winner marked his fourth overtime point this season—the most ever by any teenage defenseman—surpassing Rasmus Dahlin and Cam Fowler who each had three such points as teenagers.
