Ilya Sorokin chat New York Islanders third-string netminder turned backup Marcus Hogberg has watched from the bench for the last 11 games as Ilya Sorokin's name continued to be called. Twice over that span, the Swedish netminder, who signed a two-year deal this summer, came in for relief, stopping all 17 shots he's faced in 40 total minutes of NHL action. But after Sorokin made 22 saves in their 6-3 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, his career-high 12th straight start, it is expected that Hogberg will be between the pipes when the puck drops against these same Penguins on Sunday night at 5:30 PM. "It's a plan, but is it gonna happen? I don't know," Roy said about starting Hogberg. Although Sorokin has started back-to-backs before, most recently winning both on Dec. 7 and 8, a 4-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes before an impressive 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators, Hogberg has earned a start. If Hogberg does hear his name called, it will be his first NHL start since Apr. 28, 2021. Following Saturday's morning skate, Roy was asked what he's seen from Hogberg since he's been up with the club and about the trust he has in his new backup: "I mean, why would I not trust him?" Roy said. "He played really well in the two games he entered in the third period. So, I totally trust him. "I think what I love about him is that he really works hard. He comes every day ready to play. He's been a really good pro, so I do trust him." It begs the question, if Roy wholeheartedly trusts Hogberg, why has it taken so long to get him a start? Sorokin has struggled to play to the expected level for a while now. But I guess the mindset is that Sorokin gives them the best chance to win, even when he's not at his best, and the schedule has provided some breaks to allow for mental and physical resets. "Always like a break," Sorokin told The Hockey News about the three days off for Christmas before Saturday's start. "It was a good time for us to relax our mind and body." With three games in four nights, it's crucial to keep Sorokin rested, especially if the team believes, with their healthy forward group, they can go on some kind of run here. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExNzIwNzYyMDkwODU4MDE5/usatsi_25012344.jpg] Hogberg's ready to go, per Hogberg. "I feel ready. It's my job to be ready when they need me," the Swedish netminder said following Saturday's skate. "I've been feeling good at practice, and in third periods that I've been playing." While the second leg against Pittsburgh is critical for the team, it's also a monumental opportunity for Hogberg. If he does well, that opens the door for him to get some more starts as the season continues, as he'll only earn more trust from his Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender head coach. But, if Hogberg struggles, the Islanders will have no choice but to keep running Sorokin out there and, potentially, need to look elsewhere if Semyon Varlamov is going to be out much longer.
