Islanders once again reliant on Ilya Sorokin after Semyon Varlamov injury
LAS VEGAS Ilya Sorokin has been here before, and that is ultimately the biggest reason to believe he can handle it now.
Two years ago, it was nine straight games for Sorokin in net to start the season, including a back-to-back.
Last season, it was 10 games in a row, including two back-to-backs, from Dec. 16 through Jan. 5.
The Islanders have never hesitated to ask Sorokin to carry them, especially when Semyon Varlamov has been unavailable due to injury.
And after Varlamov left Tuesdays game in Colorado during the first period, it looks as though they will do just that for the third straight season.
I have the same routine, Sorokin told The Post following Fridays practice in Las Vegas. So, of course, I want Varly to come back faster. But you have what you have. My routine doesnt change, its all the same.
After Sorokin played 62 games last season, the Islanders were trying to at least give him a less drastic workload this time around.
Though the timeline for Varlamovs return is unclear he stayed on the road with the Islanders but hasnt been skating with the team that now looks less realistic.
Sorokin played 62 games last season, something the Islanders were hoping to rectify this year. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConHes leading the league in shot attempts faced, with 908, and has seen more high-danger shots than all but two netminders, per Natural Stat Trick.
So while the Islanders cant do much to manage Sorokins workload in terms of minutes right now AHL call-up Ken Appleby is unlikely to play in any situation other than an emergency they can certainly manage his workload better in terms of shots.
We turned the puck over in the neutral zone too many times before, coach Lane Lambert said. We certainly made an emphasis of dealing with that. I thought we did a much better job in the defensive zone Thursday against the Coyotes. We do that, we take care of that, that cuts down on shots.
Clearly, at the start of the year, I didnt think we were great in our zone. I think we break pucks out a little bit better now. We spend less time in our zone, as well, and we continue to work on our structure. We know we have to improve in that area.
Semyon Varlamov exited Tuesday’s game with an injury. NHLI via Getty ImagesNumbers-wise, Sorokin is having a slightly worse season than the 2022-23 campaign that saw him finish second to Linus Ullmark for the Vezina Trophy.
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His save percentage is down to a still-very-good .912, while his goals allowed average is a career-high 3.10.
The advanced stats still peg him as one of the better goalies in the league, but while Sorokin easily led the league in Evolving Hokeys goals saved above expected metric last year, his 11.34 so far this season ranks 12th.
Much of that is down to the Islanders having suffered the combination of defensive injuries and the loss of some defensive structure and the team still has complete belief in the quality of its goaltending.
Obviously Ilya, if you ask me, hes probably one of the best in the world, Scott Mayfield told The Post. Varlys right up there, too. Were lucky to have both of them, were lucky to have both of them for a while. Theyre special players.
Sorokin, by the way, says hes holding up just fine, whatever the workload might be.
I feel good. It feels OK, he said. Every NHL game, every goalie has a lot of shots. So for me, its the same. Feel good and have a good mood.
Few players are as single-minded and routine-driven as Sorokin. On Saturday, before the Islanders face the Golden Knights, hell eat breakfast, get on the ice, stretch, nap, then go to the game. Same as any other day.
That is how hes handled these situations before. Its how hell handle this situation now.
Its all about routine, he said. Its cold tubs, massage, therapy, good food and good sleep. I dont know a different way.
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