Bo Horvat scores as New York Islanders beat Kraken

NEW YORK – (AP) – Bo Horvat scored on his home debut with the New York Islanders and led his new team to a 4-0 win over the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night.

Ilya Sorokin made 31 saves in his fifth shutout this season and is number 15 of his career. Samuel Bolduc, Simon Holmstrom and Zach Parise also scored in New York’s fourth straight win, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau added two assists.

“There’s a lot of confidence in this group, a lot of energy and you’re seeing a little momentum now,” said Islanders captain Anders Lee. “It’s a tough game (for Seattle) coming out of the break so we were able to take advantage of that.”

The islanders acquired Horvat in a blockbuster deal with Vancouver on January 30th. The all-star center then agreed to an eight-year, $68 million deal on Sunday.

The 27-year-old Horvat stalled in his first game against New York on Monday night, helping the Islanders to a 2-1 win in Philadelphia.

He scored his first goal with his new team 5:08 in the second period. Mathew Barzal stole Yanni Gourde’s puck in the offensive zone and set up Horvat for a one-timer.

Horvat’s career-best 32nd goal of the season gave New York a 4-0 lead.

“I won’t lie, it definitely felt good,” said Horvat. “I need to take a little deep breath. It felt even better to score at home and then get the win, which made it all the sweeter.”

Martin Jones had 23 saves for the Pacific Division’s leader Kraken, but Seattle dropped the opener of a five-game trip to start the second half of the season.

“Too many mistakes that ended in direct counter chances,” said Kraken coach Dave Hakstol. “We couldn’t find a way to give ourselves energy. A goal might have changed the dynamic a bit.”

Kraken forward Andre Burakovsky left the team after his first shift with a lower body injury.

Bolduc opened the scoring at 7:59 of the first period when his shot from the point hit the back of the net. Lee and Kyle Palmieri showed Jones Bolduc’s first career goal.

“It’s pretty nice, especially at home when you have the fans behind you,” Bolduc said. “It’s an incredible feeling.”

Holmstrom made it 2-0 at 18:29 with a skillful forehand-backhand combination. Pageau found the Sweden winger all alone in the slot behind the net.

Parise masterfully deflected Pageau’s shot past Jones to give New York a three-goal lead, 3:38 after the second.

New York improved to 22-5-2 as they scored at least three goals, including winners in the shootout.

Seattle defenseman Justin Schultz has returned to practice but has not dressed. He has missed the team’s last six games and remains on injured reserve. D Scott Mayfield got his 100th point of his career from the opening goal. Mayfield and Ryan Pulock each skated in their 400th game, becoming the 51st and 52nd players in Islanders franchise history to reach that milestone. Kraken defenseman Will Borgen skated in his 100th NHL game.

Islanders: Host Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.

Kraken: Visit the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.