Islanders Netminder Ilya Sorokin Discusses New Pads & Other Equipment Decisions

New York Islanders netminder is rocking new leg pads. He spoke with Stefen Rosner about his equipment change and more on goaltending gear.

EAST MEADOW, NY -- In Tuesday's 2-1 shootout loss to the Seattle Kraken, New York Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin sported new leg pads. 

Look good, feel good, play good is a motto for many goalies, and while Sorokin's new pads aren't flashy, they were effective as he stopped 29 of 30 shots through regulation and overtime before stopping two of three in the shootout. 

Following Wednesday's practice, The Hockey News caught up with Sorokin to discuss his new pads and more. 

Before we go any further, here is a picture of Sorokin's old pads:

"I had the other ones since June," Sorokin told THN.  "It's a typical time, six to seven months. 

Sorokin has had the new pads for a few weeks but wanted to make sure he broke them in before unleashing them in an NHL game.

"Some goalies can get new pads and, the next day, play a game," Sorokin said. "My story: I need one to two weeks before the game because it's all about feelings, how I feel, how I can move in the pads, and when I understand that I feel good, I start playing in them."

Sorokin isn't rocking a new glove and blocker.

"Glove takes a long time [to break in]," Sorokin said. "The glove I started wearing in a playoff last season. I don't change. Blocker, I don't change often."

Outside of the helmet design, a way that fans and media are able to tell the difference between Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov is the color of their stick blade.

Sorokin has always gone with the black tape, while Varlamov goes with the white.

THN asked Sorokin why he uses the black.

"I don't know. It started in juniors," Sorokin said. "I wear two times white and two times I have five or six goals in my net. So, I changed to black. I like how it looks, and I don't really think about it a lot."

There's a new type of goaltender skate out there, called Bauer Konekt, which Varlamov wears:

"I've never tried them in a game," Sorokin said. "I had one pair, but I like old-school skates. I feel good in those skates."

Sorokin and Varlamov will be donning new helmets for the Stadium Series game on Sunday. 

During practice, they showed them off, with Sorokin rocking an orange cage:

He's very excited with how the cage looks, pointing it out to THN and another reporter with a huge smile on his face. 

THN ended the chat by asking if he was going to wear a beanie over his helmet like we've seen goalies at these outdoor games do.

All Sorokin did was shake his head, laugh, and say no. 

Sorokin is projected to start the Stadium Series showdown against the Rangers on Sunday. 

Since Patrick Roy arrived on Long Island, Sorokin is 3-1-1 in five starts with a 1.98 GAA and a .936 SV%. 

You can watch Rosner talk Islanders hockey on Hockey Night in New York with co-host Sean Cuthbert live Sunday nights at 8 PM ET during the season at twitch.tv/hockeynightny.