Bo Horvat scores, Ilya Sorokin makes 25 saves and Islanders top Devils 1-0

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Bo Horvat scored late in the second period and Ilya Sorokin made 25 saves and the New York Islanders topped the New Jersey Devils 1-0 on Sunday.

Horvat intercepted an attempted pass by Devils forward Timo Meier and fired a shot past goalie Jacob Markstrom with 57 seconds left in the middle period for his 28th goal this season. The Islanders held on as Sorokin improved to 30-23-6 with his fourth shutout this season and the 22nd of his career. This is the second time the 29-year-old Sorokin has reached the 30-win mark in his five-year NHL career.

Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech did not return after he was hit high by Devils forward Paul Cotter at the six-minute mark of the second period. Cotter received a five-minute major match penalty and game misconduct. After the game, Islanders coach Patrick Roy had no update on Pelech.

The Islanders snapped a three-game losing streak by winning a day after they were eliminated from postseason contention with a shootout loss at Philadelphia. New York made the playoffs the past two seasons, losing to Carolina both times in the first round.

This was the ninth time the Devils were blanked this season.

Devils captain Nico Hischier had a golden opportunity to tie the game in the waning second but shot the puck wide.

New Jersey is heading to the postseason for the second time in three years. The Devils will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the opening round. New Jersey defeated the Rangers in seven games in the opening round two years ago, then lost to Carolina in the second round.

Markstrom made 21 saves for the Devils.

Devils: fell to 19-16-5 in home games. New Jersey is 22-16-2 on the road.

Islanders: improved to 16-17-7 on the road with their first away win since March 18.

Sorokin, who hadn’t played since allowing Alexander Ovechkin’s record-breaking 895th goal last Sunday at UBS Arena, returned from a three-game absence with a lower body injury with a flawless performance.

The Islanders are 19-5-6 when scoring first and 15-29-6 when allowing the opening goal.

Devils: visiting Boston Bruins on Tuesday.

Islanders: hosting Washington Capitals on Tuesday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom makes a save in front of New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (14) in the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Islanders center Marc Gatcomb (16) skates with the puck past New Jersey Devils center Justin Dowling (37) in the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (14) shoots past New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes in the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom makes a save in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) wins a face-off against New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier in the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Islanders center Bo Horvat, second from right, is congratulated by Alexander Romanov (28) after scoring a goal in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

NEW YORK (AP) — Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder has been suspended three games without pay for an off-court incident in which he tried to strike another player during a confrontation, the NBA said Saturday night.

The league said the confrontation occurred about 40 minutes after the Kings’ 125-101 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 28, when Schroder sought out the other player in a hallway at Crypto.com Arena.

The league did not disclose the name of the Lakers player, but according to ESPN it was Luka Doncic. The pair had been sniping at each other all game, with Doncic at one point taunting Schroder for not signing an $84 million contract with the Lakers in 2021.

Schroder will miss home games against the Houston Rockets on Sunday night, the Lakers on Monday night and the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.

He's eligible to return for a Friday home game against the Washington Wizards.

The 6-foot-1 Schroder, who has played for 10 teams in a 12-year NBA career, is averaging 13 points and 5.7 assists per game this season.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder (17) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, front right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, back center, shoots as Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford (5) and guard Dennis Schroder (17) watch during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shields the ball from Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schröder, right, moves the ball while defended by Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)