Again-to-back Ilya Sorokin begin is Islanders’ must-win weekend determination

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The Islanders can hardly afford to lose a recreation proper now, and they’re appearing prefer it.

Ilya Sorokin might be in nets not as soon as however twice for the Islanders on a Friday-Saturday back-to-back in Winnipeg and Minnesota, with a two-week break looming as soon as the crew will get again dwelling.

“The plan is to play him each video games,” coach Patrick Roy instructed reporters after Thursday’s observe. “I don’t prefer to go too far forward. We’ll concentrate on Winnipeg, however the plan is to play him each video games.”

Tomas Hertl (48) deflects the puck in from of New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) during the third period at UBS Arena on Feb. 4, 2025. — Tomas Hertl (48) deflects the puck in from Ilya Sorokin in the course of the Islanders’ win over the Golden Knights on Feb. 4, 2025. USA TODAY Sports activities through Reuters Con

The best way Sorokin is enjoying proper now — and with Semyon Varlamov and Marcus Hogberg coping with accidents in the mean time — it’s onerous to argue with the choice.

Sorokin is on a six-start profitable streak, a span over which he has stopped 170 of his final 177 photographs in opposition to, having rotated his season after struggling by the month of December.

He’s additionally performed each video games of a back-to-back earlier than, together with as soon as this season, when the Islanders beat Carolina and Ottawa on Dec. 7-8.

Although Hogberg’s emergence — and the following relaxation it allowed Sorokin — was a vital consider that turnaround, the upcoming break is permitting the Islanders to throw every little thing at this weekend.

Furthermore, with Hogberg having joined Varlamov on the injured listing, Jakub Skarek doesn’t current a compelling various. Skarek made his NHL debut in opposition to the Panthers on the second finish of a back-to-back final weekend and didn’t hand over any dangerous targets within the 6-3 defeat, however letting in 5 on 32 photographs didn’t scream that the Islanders ought to throw him in once more.

New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov (28) celebrates the 2-1 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights with New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) after the game at UBS Arena. — Alexander Romanov celebrates with Ilya Sorokin after the Islanders’ victory over the Golden Knights. USA TODAY Sports activities through Reuters Con

Significantly given what Sorokin has carried out currently, with the protection in entrance of him having carried out admirably, as properly.

“We’ve got among the finest goalies within the league,” Roy stated after the Islanders beat Vegas on Tuesday. “So whenever you’re doing a very good job defending the home and forcing them to take lengthy photographs with no screens, it’s a neater job for him.

“It’s a strong crew effort. I feel all people is doing a very good job serving to defensively, however what I really like is how we escape. How good we bought that puck out of the zone, it was spectacular. We had lots of success.”

The Islanders have received eight of their final 9 video games in opposition to the Jets, together with 4 of their final 5 video games in Winnipeg. The one loss, nonetheless, got here final January, the final time they performed at Canada Life Centre.