Ilya Sorokin Can Steal a Series Like Turk Broda Did in 1949 & Billy Smith in 1983

It's no secret that the Islanders are underdogs.

In fact, the Elmonters are such underdogs against Carolina in the series that opens tonight in Raleigh that -- it would seem -- only a convention of magicians can help them.

And, if not the magic men, then Ilya Sorokin.

Yes, the Islanders' Russian goalkeeper just might decide to play Russian Roulette with the team that annexed the National Hockey League's Metropolitan Division for the third straight season.

Such goal-crease machinations have happened before, and The Maven was there as a witness. History tells us of two NHL goalies who were big-time "thieves" and stole playoff series. One was an Islander and the other a Maple Leaf.

"There was no question that Billy Smith was THE guy when we won our fourth Cup in a row," Isles iconic GM Bill Torrey once recalled. "His shutting out the Oilers in that first game in Edmonton was one of the greatest exhibitions of goaltending in playoff history."

Under Al Arbour's coaching baton, Battlin' Billy then stymied the stunned Albertans in the next three games for the Islanders' dynastic fourth consecutive Cup.

As a 17-year-old aspiring Junior level defenseman in his native Sudbury, Ontario, Alger Arbour -- later to be known as "Radar" -- followed the fortunes of the 1948-49 Maple Leafs, a team that barely made the postseason.

So, I once asked Al if he could remember any goalie magic like Smitty's.

He did. It was Toronto's 1948-49 team with Hall of Famer Turk Broda in goal.

Arbour: "Detroit finished in first place (75 points; 34-19-7) by a mile, and the Leafs were fourth. Not only fourth but under the .500 mark. But Broda beat the Red Wings, four in a row."

Just to be certain, I checked the NHL's stats, and there it was. Like Smitty, Broda was regarded as one of the finest clutch playoff goalkeepers in history. Despite his under .500 club, he beat Detroit, 3-2 in overtime and followed that with 3-1, 3-1, and 3-1 victories for the Stanley Cup.

Thus, the question: Can Sorokin give us a reasonable facsimile of the Smith and Broda imitations of Horatio at the Bridge?

Based on what we've seen this season, the answer has to be something roughly equivalent to yes, but maybe.

Now, completing his third major league season, Sorokin has been the subject of the 2023 Vezina Trophy talk although the majority opinion is that Boston's LinusUllmark has the inside track.

That said, you have to love the way Sorokin's career has incrementally improved. A year ago, Ilya finished at 26-18-8 with a 2.40 GAA.

This season his regular-season workload was heavier, and his record -- 31-22-0, 2.34 (.924) and six shutouts -- was superb under the circumstances.

"We've always felt we can count on him," said Captain Anders Lee.

But these are untested waters for Sorokin. In previous Isles playoffs, his partner Semyon Varlamov was the main man. In the 2020-21 campaign, Varly had an NHL-best seven shutouts and a 19-11-4 record. He was a playoff star in 2020 and 2021. But last year he ceded the starting role to Ilya.

There are three key challenges for Sorokin entering the opening round: 1. Playoff pressure; 2. Fatigue; 3. The Hurricanes winning record vs. New York.

Nevertheless, Ilya is, as they used to say in Ancient Rome: ne plus ultra. Or, special deluxe.

Coach Lane Lamber seconds the notion, “It doesn't matter whether it's this game or a game a month ago or two months ago or, you know, in the future. He (Sorokin) plays the same way every day and every game. His focus is just his focus. You know, we're not concerned about that at all. He's a very focused individual. That's what makes him good.”

Dissecting The Sorokin Style has been attempted by many. The one I like best was devised by Long Island native Zachary Weinstock, co-author with David Kolb, and The Maven of the Isles 50th Anniversary Commemorative book.

Here's how Zach sees it:

"Athleticism is the key to Sorokin's success. It's all about the legs. His are always up to something. I don't know of any Islanders goalie from the past who controls the lower two-thirds of the net like him. Ilya is in the top three in all of the advanced goalie stats.

"Or, to put it another way, Sorokin was 7-0-0 in his last seven home games and 11-2-1 in his last 14. That's why the Islanders made the playoffs."

So, we now have another chapter in "The Sorokin Saga."

Will he pull off another Smitty or Turk? Time will tell. In the meantime, enjoy the indisputable fact that Chicago beat Pittsburgh on that fateful night and the Islanders added the necessary postscript and then beat Montreal.

Yeah, Islanders fans, your guys are in the playoffs. Sop it up and do a few hundred, YES! YES!! YES'S and ENJOY!

Rosner’s Reaction: As Zachary Weinstock discussed, Ilya Sorokin’s ability to protect the lower part of the net is a standout. But what stands out to me and has since Sorokin’s first NHL stint is his anticipation. It’s something that got him into a bit of trouble early on his career — over anticipating — but now it’s the skill set that separates him from the pack. And that anticipation is why he has the ability to steal games and the potential to steal a series or two for New York.