A few weeks ago, the Eastern Conference Playoff race seemed as crowded as possible. Only a handful of points separated teams in the last few spots from those at the bottom of the conference.

Sorokin made 30 saves in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Avalanche. The 29-year-old netminder was locked in a 1-1 tie through two periods with Mackenzie Blackwood. but the Isles' offense broke things open in the third.