Sorokin Not At His Best, More Playing Time The Answer

The New York Islanders have relied on goaltending the whole season. Netminder Ilya Sorokin cemented himself as the starter early in the year, but with the rejuvenated play of Semyon Varlamov, Islanders head coach Barry Trotz elected to go back to the tandem, knowing the importance of having two strong netminders as the Islanders looked to climb the standings.

As of late, Ilya Sorokin has been called upon more often, as he has started four of the last five games and five of the previous seven.

Over Sorokin’s last five games (3-2-0) owns a .887 SV% with a 2.84 GAA. He’s allowed 14 goals over that span, with only five of the goals being considered high-danger chances.

And yes, many of the goals have come off screens, deflections, tip-ins, and breakdowns in front of him. But some have been saveable.

In the 3-1 loss the Edmonton Oilers, the New York Islanders were incredibly active in the offensive zone but could not buy a goal against Mike Smith. And on the few mistakes the Islanders made, the Edmonton Oilers capitalized.

Ilya Sorokin had no chance on the opening tally of the contest as a Cody Ceci shot beat him through a few bodies. The second goal against, an odd-man rush shot beat him glove side.

Should Sorokin have made the save despite the breakdown in front of him?

There’s a high bar for what shots Sorokin should have, given what he has shown at the NHL level. Hyman’s shot is excellent, but Sorokin was in the proper position and did not track the puck as he stuck his glove out farther than he needed to to make the save.

With the Islanders within striking distance, Sorokin failed to come up with a save, which took the wind out of their sails.

It happens, and the lack of finishing was the story of the game, not Sorokin.

But Sorokin does not seem to be making those key saves he had made earlier in the season.

Over his last four starts, Sorokin owns a Goals Saved Above Average of 0.29, a. 800 High-Danger SV%, and a -0.35 HDGSAA. His expected goals against over his last four outings was 9.75.

He’s allowed 11.

Ilya Sorokin has only played in 40 games at the NHL level. By no means can his second year be considered a ‘Sophomore Slump’, with a .924 SV% and. a 2.37 GAA. He’s shown the ability to play like a no. 1 netminder, but now it is about the little tweaks to be a reliable force every night.

And that comes with just playing.

But he has been playing, he’s played in four of the Islanders last five games.

Unfortunately, it seems that the Islanders are not going anywhere this season. Although not mathematically eliminated, the road to the playoffs is already uphill, and with winning then losing, there is no way to gain traction.

The NHL is still new to Sorokin. A lot more happens in-tight in the NHL than in the KHL, and this season, especially, screens and his inability to find the puck has been the biggest challenge.

Semyon Varlamov will be in goal Saturday night against the Calgary Flames. He is 1-4-0 over his last five games, with a .923 SV% and a 2.22 GAA, and has outplayed Sorokin over that stretch.

If Varlamov puts together a strong game Saturday, does that force Islanders head coach Barry Trotz into alternating his netminders yet again?

It would show a belief that the New York Islanders think they still have a crack at a playoff spot, a belief that, of course, the Islanders should have until they are mathematically eliminated. And it just so happens that Varlamov has been the subject of trade rumors and has undoubtedly raised his value with his recent play.

Sorokin is the future and will be the starter for the entire season in 2022-23. And the Islanders need Sorokin to be the premier goaltender he has the skill to be.

That is why playing Sorokin and playing him often will only put the Islanders in a better position next season. Allowing Sorokin to figure out how to make that “screen save” or just more time adjusting to the angles in the NHL is a must.

Varlamov is going to get his starts here and there, but the development of Sorokin needs to come to the forefront and the only way for him to improve is through game experience.