Sorokin, who is having a Vezina-caliber season in a year when Boston Bruins netminder Linus Ullmark has been nothing short of spectacular, has raised his game here in crunch time.

When New York Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin came over from Russia, he knew little to no English. His answers to complex questions--if he could answer them--were short and sweet.

Even over the last few years, as he grasped the language, Sorokin's words were few but did hold significant weight.

The best example is when The Hockey News asked him at the start of training camp what he worked on over the summer.

"Stop puck," Sorokin said.

Sure, few words have to do with the language barrier, but we have learned about Sorokin that his focus on the task at hand is...well..his whole focus.

Sorokin, who is having a Vezina-caliber season in a year when Boston Bruins netminder Linus Ullmark has been nothing short of spectacular, has raised his game here in crunch time.

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After stopping 25 of 26 shots against the Washington Capitals Wednesday night--not including two of three in the shootout en route to a 2-1 win--Sorokin was asked a handful of questions, one about potentially playing playoff hockey.

"I don't think about this—just one game. No overthinking, just one day and control what you can control," Sorokin said. "That's it."

It's not the first time Sorokin has shared where his mind is at, as he's done it often.

After a 3-2 overtime loss in Buffalo back in mid-Janurary, Sorokin was asked about making the All-Star Game for the first time in his career, announced that night.

"Appreciate the fans who voted for me, but just focused on the next game, not the All-Star game," Sorokin said.

That's just how he operates.

"I've never been a goalie, but I think that you have to block everything out and just worry about and focus on what you're doing," Islanders head coach Lane Lambert said Wednesday night about Sorokin's mindset.

"It's a really incredible job to be able to do that. You're on the ice for 60-65 minutes, whatever it might be on any given night. So I think he does a really good job of that, and that's what helps him have success."

Sorokin is now 5-0-1 over his last six games, with a 2.17 GAA and a .921 SV%.

His last three wins have come against the Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, and Washington, holding all three to two goals or fewer.

There are goalies around the National Hockey League--not naming them--that clearly show a lack of mental toughness. And it no question affects their ability to play the sport at the highest level.

Sorokin stands out because as much as he's had a dominant season, there were a few stretches where he was off his game—never getting too high after his strong start allowed him not to get too low when he faltered.

He was even-keeled throughout, and now, in the most critical time of the New York Islanders season, Sorokin's mental strength, combined with his elite skill level, makes him one of the hardest goaltenders to beat in the league.

If the New York Islanders do make the postseason, currently holding the top wild-card spot with a five-point lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sorokin's mental toughness and talent will be a deadly combination. 

Islanders legend Billy Smith was a goaltender that showed extreme mental toughness, per our Stan Fischler:

"Billy Smith was as focused as any NHL player I've ever covered. The focus started the a.m. of the game and lasted until it was over. Part of his mental toughness was being completely focused. Once in the room, he was completely focused, and every single teammate knew not to disturb him in any way.

Mental toughness? He feared no player, not even toughie Dave Semenko who he clobbered, and NHL president John Zieger, who he told off on network tv after winning the 4th Cup."