Islanders & Accountability BUFFALO, NY --After an off day on Wednesday, the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-jordan-eberle-seattle-kraken-1000-games] held a practice on Wednesday at KeyBank Center ahead of Thursday's game against the Buffalo Sabres. At first, it seemed like Semyon Varlamov, who stopped 22 of 23 in a 6-1 against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday, would get the start, as he manned the starter's crease at practice. However, Ilya Sorokin was the first goalie off the skate, and head coach Patrick Roy confirmed his No. 1 netminder would get the green light after he stopped 22 of 24 in a 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Monday. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0OTk2ODMwMjY0NTY3NDI4/usatsi_21802031.jpg] Buffalo is a team that is firing on all cylinders right now. They have won their last two games and are 6-3-1 in their last ten games. Varlamov, who looked good in his last start, owns a 13-5-1 with a 1.99 GAA and a .936 SV% in 19 games against Buffalo. Sorokin hasn't been as good against Buffalo, but he is 5-5-2, with a 2.55 GAA and a .914 SV%. The Hockey News asked Roy if he looks at his goalie's numbers against a certain opponent before deciding who starts. Roy does not and said that he isn't the one making the goalie call. "It's Piero [Greco] that makes the decision," Roy said. "I support whatever he says. He follows that. He knows and feels the guys." Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0OTk2ODcxMzM1MTkyMTk2/img_3870.png] Greco, the Islanders goaltending coach, came over to Long Islanders in the summer of 2018 after serving the four seasons prior as the Toronto Maple Leafs goalie coach for Lou Lamoriello. Former head coach Barry Trotz brought over Mitch Korn, the director of goaltending, that same summer, and while Korn is still involved, it's Greco who works with both Islanders' netminders daily. The Islanders' upcoming schedule makes things a bit interesting. After Thursday's game, they have a back-to-back Saturday against the Ottawa Senators before heading to Madison Square Garden to face the Rangers on Sunday night for a St. Patrick's Day matinee. Varlamov has been brilliant at MSG over his career (10-3-1, 2.29 GAA, .928 SV%). Since joining the Islanders, Varlamov has been a brick wall, owning a 5-1-0 record with a 1.55 GAA, a .950 SV%, and four shutouts. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0OTk2OTIwOTk1NzUxNTU2/usatsi_21509488.jpg] On the contrary, Sorokin has owned the Senators over his career, with a 3-0-1 record in four starts, to go with a 1.96 GAA and a .943 SV%. So, we could see Sorokin play Buffalo and Ottawa, with Varlamov getting the start against the Rangers. The key word there is could. As Roy says, the underlying numbers don't play a factor, and more of the decision comes from gauging where both goalies are at. So, it will likely depend on how the game against Buffalo goes before plans are made. Roy told us previously that there's a game plan for the goaltenders, but it's not etched in stone. The Islanders enter Thursday's game in the second wild-card spot. With 18 games to go, they will need to choose the goaltender who gives them the best chance to win. Practice Notes: - Matt Martin, who missed Monday's game, took part in line rushes and is a game-time decision - No update on Robert Bortuzzo, who is expected to be activated out of LTIR soon TOP STORIES
