Varlamov is 2-0-1 in his last three games with a 1.63 GAA and a .943 SV%, allowing two goals or fewer in each start.

After Ilya Sorokin proved to head coach Patrick Roy and the New York Islanders early in 2024-25 that he was back to his true form, starting him three of every four games made the most sense. 

It made even more sense, given Semyon Varlamov's slow start to the season. 

However, there's been a shift in performance over the last week or so.

Sorokin has gone 1-2-2 over his last five games, with a 3.51 GAA and an .898 SV%. He has allowed three or more goals in each start. 

On the flip side, Varlamov has been absolutely brilliant over his last three games, sporting a 2-0-1 record with a 1.63 GAA and a .943 SV%, allowing two goals or fewer in each start. 

He made 30 saves on 31 shots to help the Islanders snag a point in Calgary on Tuesday night in a 2-1 shootout loss. 

Do we have a little goalie controversy on our hands?

While Varlamov deserves his praise, it's not as if Sorokin has been abysmal in his starts.

Has he been out-goalied, if you will, often as of late?

Statistically, yes, but watching the games, Sorokin has been the reason for points more often than not, outside of the loss to the Seattle Kraken.

With Varlamov playing this well, it definitely gives Roy something to think about when deciding who will start on Thursday to conclude the road trip.

Do you let the winning goalie keep playing until he loses, or do you go back to the clear-cut starter?

In 14 career games against the Red Wings, Varlamov is 7-7-0, with a dominant 2.27 GAA with a .926 SV% and one shutout. 

Sorokin is 4-3-2 in 10 games against Detroit, with a 2.52 GAA and a .908 SV%. 

Now, Roy is a goalie and knows about the mental side of the position.

There's no question that if Roy believes in Sorokin, which he does, he'll give him a shot to redeem himself and get back on track against a weak Red Wings team. 

But, if Sorokin doesn't get back on track, Roy will likely go right back to Varlamov on Saturday night against the St. Louis Blues in the Islanders' return to UBS Arena.