Sorokin stopped 23 shots. He made a save right before Steven Stamkos’ errant pass went into Nashville’s empty net with 12 seconds left.

The Islanders’ first game without Brock Nelson proved just how pivotal Ilya Sorokin will be for their playoff push. The Islanders got out of San Jose alive, beating the Sharks 4-2, but it was not the prettiest of performances from a group that had a hole punched into its lineup with the deal that sent Nelson to Colorado on Friday.