Difference Between Varlamov & Sorokin NEW YORK, NY -- The New York Islanders played a terrific road game without Noah Dobson, until Artemi scored the tying goal with 4:17 remaining. Then they succumbed to both Panarin and Vincent Trocheck in the shootout to fall 3-2 at Madison Square Garden. Ilya Sorokin faced 43 shots, while Igor Shesterkin saw 35 pucks and recorded the win. In the first, Sorokin was tested right off the bat in the first period but stood his ground, relying on his positioning and reflexes to turn aside 13 Rangers shots. He stoned Rangers defenseman Adam Fox point blank while also stopping all five shots that Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad sent his way. The penalty kill has killed the Islanders against the Rangers this season and hurt Sorokin's numbers. The Islanders were the first ones to take a penalty on Saturday, and although the Rangers' power play was dangerous, Sorokin made three saves, including a Zibanejad one-timer. Sorokin did allow the first goal of the game but was put in a brutal situation as the Islanders, who were on the power play, allowed Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider to walk in and get a dangerous shot off. The Islanders' goaltender stood tall, stopping the initial wrist shot before Schneider banked home the rebound: Sorokin stopped the next nine shots he faced before the second period came to a close, making a few saves in tight, which allowed the Islanders not only to tie the game but take a 2-1 lead into the third. In the third the Isles continued to try and hold off the Blueshirts -- and did -- until Panarin scored the equalizer, which came after the Islanders iced the puck twice. The face-off was won to Panarin, who curled behind the left face-off circle, to fire a bullet past Sorokin. In the shootout both Panarin and Trocheck scored, while none of the three Isles shooters managed to light the lamp. The Islanders skate next against the New Jersey Devils on Monday at 7pm.
