Islanders beat Sharks to solidify playoff position

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Jean-Gabriel Pageau had a goal and an assist, Ilya Sorokin stopped 29 shots for his 25th win of the season, and the New York Islanders beat the San Jose Sharks 4-1 on Saturday evening.

Kyle Palmieri, Ryan Pulock and Zach Parise also scored for the Islanders. Pierre Engvall extended his points streak to four games with an assist on Pulock’s goal.

Kevin Labanc scored his 12th goal of the season for the Sharks and Kaapo Kahkonen made 29 saves in his 17th loss of the season.

Labanc gave the Sharks the lead at 7:31 of the start of the first period by beating Sorokin over the blocker for a nice crossbar goal.

Pageau got his 12th of the season with a shorthanded count to tie with 3:52 left in the first. He beat San Jose defender Erik Karlsson in front of the net and clipped his forehand to beat Kahkonen.

Palmieri gave the Islanders a 2-1 lead at 2:18 of the second with a nice deflection of Scott Mayfield’s point shot. It was Palmieri’s 12th.

The Islanders took advantage of their fourth power play of the night when Pulock had a one-timer after the puck came out of the boards and beat Kahkonen’s away team at 5:24 of the middle period. It was Pulock’s fourth.

Parise deflected Alexander Romanov’s shot at 5:19 of the third. Parise now has 18 goals this season.

Sharks goaltender James Reimer declined to participate in warm-ups as San Jose hosted its annual Pride Party. Reimer and the Sharks have released statements regarding the goalkeeper’s decision not to wear the Rainbow Pride warm-up jersey.

“In this specific instance, I choose not to endorse something that goes against my personal beliefs, which are based on the Bible, the highest authority in my life,” Reimer’s statement read.

The San Jose Sharks said they would continue to support the LGBTQIA+ community but accept every player’s right to express their beliefs.