After Semyon Varlamov started the first two games of their playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, Islanders head coach Patrick Roy is turning to Ilya Sorokin for Game Three.
After Semyon Varlamov started the first two games of their playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, Islanders head coach Patrick Roy is turning to Ilya Sorokin for Game Three.
EAST MEADOW, NY -- After Semyon Varlamov started the first two games of their playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy is turning to Ilya Sorokin (22-19-12, 3.01 GAA, .908 SV%) for Game Three, staring down a 2-0 series deficit.
"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."
Through two games, Varlamov faced 63 shots, 38 in the Game Two collapse, stopping 57 for a 3.03 GAA and a .905 SV%.
Now it's Sorokin's time to come in and put the team on his back after what has been a down year for the 2023 Vezina finalist.
Roy, who knows a thing or two because he's seen a thing or two, thinks that Sorokin coming into the middle of a playoff series will be good for him.
"That didn't happen to me very often," the Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender said. "But, I think the fact that Varly and Ilya have such a good relationship and they help each other -- I think Ilya understood what was going on with Varly because he was playing so well. It was just normal and now, I just feel that he's coming into the perfect scenario, down 2-0 in the series.
"Now he's going in, and all he could do is go and enjoy the ride."
One thing that Roy has spoken often about regarding Varlamov, even doing so on Tuesday morning, was that the grizzled veteran has done a tremendous job with his rebound control.
"At the end of the day, they're very active offensively, and they love to put pucks on the net," Roy said Tuesday about the Hurricanes. "They love to drive the net. So, Varly kept a lot of pucks around him. And that's what I love about Varly, not giving too many rebounds and holding those pucks, and I think that helps our defense.”
That almost made it seem that he'd go back to Varlamov, given Sorokin's shaky rebound control for most of this season.
But Roy has seen some growth in that area of Sorokin's game, which will be something to watch for Game Three, especially early.
"He's been controlling his rebound better. I feel like he was, maybe, giving too many rebounds in the beginning, and I think, right now, the puck starts to stick closer, like what Varly does so well. I think he's been keeping the puck closer to him, but he was very good against Chicago, Columbus, and even against Pittsburgh. We gave probably, like, 20; I mean, both teams gave up a total of 40 chances, 20 on each side, so they were tested."
"He should see a lot of shots, and if he sees a lot of shots, I think he's responded really well to that."
Back on March 19, Roy came out during a media session, saying that he wasn't 100 percent pleased with the play of Sorokin.
"I'm not 100 percent pleased with him. It's obvious, and I'm sure he's not [pleased with] himself," Roy said. "But I mean, it's different than before. We were giving up a lot of 40-shot games. Now, we're giving up less than 30 shots most of the time.
"So, it's an adjustment for him. Less shots, but I mean, we're cutting down on chances, so it's a different game, I guess, for him. Now, every save counts more. But am I worried? No."
With how strong the Hurricanes have played, the Islanders can't afford weak goals against, something that was becoming a prominent issue for Sorokin.
But there's a reason the organization signed Sorokin to an eight-year extension worth $66 million ($.825), which kicks in next season.
It's games like Thursday night where Sorokin needs to be the Sorokin of last season and be a reason they get back in this series, not play a role in why they're on the verge of elimination.
In 13 career playoff games, Sorokin is 6-5-0 with a 2.70 GAA with a .923 SV%.
Sorokin 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.