Islanders head coach Patrick Roy thinks Ilya Sorokin is more like a Ferrari, while Semyon Varlamov is more like a Cadillac.
Islanders head coach Patrick Roy thinks Ilya Sorokin is more like a Ferrari, while Semyon Varlamov is more like a Cadillac.
EAST MEADOW, NY -- Following Wednesday's practice, New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy said that he'd be going to Ilya Sorokin for Game 3 after Semyon Varlamov started the first two games in Raleigh.
"We knew we would have to use both goalies," Roy said following Wednesday's practice.
"They're both sharp, and Varly had a lot of shots the last game, so it'll be good to have someone fresh in for tomorrow," Roy said.
Following Thursday's optional morning skate, Roy was asked about how both goalies took it when he shared that he'd be making a switch in goal.
"I didn't speak to them. Pierre (Greco, goalie coach) talked to the goalies," Roy said. "I leave it to him, but Varly is a team guy, and so is Ilya."
Then Roy divulged a text exchange he had with his father earlier on Thursday.
"It’s funny because my dad sent me a text this morning about my days in Montreal, where Francois Allaire (goalie coach) and I made an analogy," Roy said. "He said Brian Heyward, who was my partner at the time, he was a Cadillac. He was comfortable, and then I was the Ferrari. It could be a little more bumpy and all this, so, today we're going with the Ferrari. We had the Cadillac in the first two games. We’re going with a Ferrari.”
Take the analogy as you may.
It's hard not to interpret it as Roy saying that Varlamov is more stable, while Sorokin has been more of a dark horse, where he could be really good or off his game.
Or, is it the fact that Sorokin is quicker, more agile, while Varlamov is more compact?
It's an honest analogy, and the Islanders will need the Ferrari to drive as smoothly as possible to avoid a 3-0 series hole.
"We trust both goalies equally. I don't think there's one over the other. So tonight, Ilya will be in there, and he'll give us a chance to win like he does every night, and we want to play hard in front of him and limit their opportunities.
Sorokin ended his season with a 3-0-1 record, recording a 2.21 GAA with a .932 SV%.
In 13 career playoff games, Sorokin is 6-5-0 with a 2.70 GAA with a .923 SV%.
He started all six games against Carolina in last year's playoffs, posting a 2.60 GAA and a .924 SV%, recording a 3.66 GAA with a .908 SV% in three regular-season games against the Hurricanes this year.