The Islanders, recovering from their COVID-19 outbreak, took a baby step back on Thursday night.
They didn’t lose in regulation as they had done the eight previous games, meaning they earned a point for the first time since Nov. 6.
But Erik Karlsson, leading a two-on-one rush, scored the winner just 39 seconds into overtime as the Sharks beat the Islanders, 2-1, at UBS Arena.
The last-place Islanders (5-10-3), still defending too much, had their losing streak extend to nine games despite another fine performance from goalie Ilya Sorokin.
Sorokin stopped 33 shots while Adin Hill, rarely tested throughout the game, recovered from Mathew Barzal’s early goal to make 24 saves.