The Latest Breaking News from Ilya Sorokin

WASHINGTON — Bo Horvat apologized before the game for a comment that sounded like a dig against his former team. All of the Islanders should be saying sorry for a weak effort against the depleted, playing-out-the-string Capitals in a game that may keep them out of the playoffs.

ELMONT, N.Y. — The Islanders knew what to expect from the Flyers and knew what they had to avoid in their tense playoff chase. Facing teams a mere week away from their offseason vacation but with players trying to win jobs for next season is never easy.

ELMONT, N.Y. — The Islanders had to win to keep up in the playoff chase.

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Islanders may yet meet the Metropolitan Division-leading Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs. If so, they should have a good idea of what they must do better, specifically generating more chances while limiting their turnovers.

TAMPA, Fla. — It’s always expected around here, but now it’s official. With a 5-0 victory over the Islanders Saturday night at Amalie Arena, the Lightning clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs for a sixth straight season.

WASHINGTON — The odds indicate the Islanders will qualify for the playoffs. But Wednesday night reinforced what this whole season has showed: It ain’t gonna be easy.

The Islanders, in a hard push to secure their hold on the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card spot, played a playoff-style game with their physicality, forechecking and clogging of the neutral zone. It was a lesson for the speedy and playoff-bound Devils.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Islanders were down two goals to the NHL’s worst team, which was playing two men short because of injuries. A chance to extend their lead for the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card spot was 20 minutes from disappearing.

ELMONT, N.Y. — Ilya Sorokin is easily the Islanders’ most valuable player, the goalie again showing that with another highlight-reel paddle save in Tuesday night’s 7-2 win over the Maple Leafs at UBS Arena.

PITTSBURGH — The New York Islanders again had the Penguins right where they wanted them.

ELMONT, N.Y. — To get the three wins this week that would greatly enhance their playoff chances, the Islanders had to win the first one first.