The Islanders won a genuine coin flip — neither side controlled the run of play.
The Islanders won the scoreboard battle 1-0, but the underlying play told a different story. The Blue Jackets dominated shot attempts 26–22 and built a 2.45–2.30 expected goals edge — yet left with nothing.
The gap reveals I. Sorokin's masterclass. He stopped 2.45 more goals than expected, a save rate of 1.000 on 26 chances. The Blue Jackets generated four high-danger looks to New York's two; Sorokin turned them all away. The Blue Jackets out-created the Islanders and still lost, the inverse of what usually happens.
New York's contribution to the disparity: disciplined suppression. The Islanders controlled 46% of shot attempts and limited high-danger work, even as the Blue Jackets pressed. J. Greaves made 21 saves on 22 shots — respectable, but Sorokin's performance overshadowed it. The Blue Jackets underperformed their expected goals by 2.45; the Islanders by 1.30.
B. Horvat decided the result early. His snap shot from the high slot, at 1:25 of the first period, was the only goal New York needed. A. Lee and A. Boqvist provided assists, though neither appeared to drive play beyond their setup touches.
The Blue Jackets crashed the net effectively and generated four rebound chances, none converted. That sequence—opportunity without finish—defined their night. Better chances, fewer breaks.
The Islanders' system held firm. New York didn't need to dominate to win; Sorokin and restraint were enough.
