New York Islanders

Sorokin and Islanders Sail To Shutout Victory Over Coyotes

Published

6 months ago

October 17, 2023

Elmont, NY– Typically, the New York Islanders are reliant on their goalie, Ilya Sorokin, en route to close victories on a nightly basis.

But on Tuesday night, the Islanders gave their Vezina Trophy finalist a much-deserved rest in net, defeating the Arizona Coyotes 1-0 at UBS Arena while allowing just 14 shots on goal. The fewest shots Sorokin has faced during a start in his NHL career.

The shutout is the first of the season for Sorokin and the 17th of his career, elevating him to third-place all-time in Islanders’ history, surpassing Rick DiPietro.

“That’s part of a goaltender’s makeup,” Islanders head coach Lane Lambert said. “To keep yourself sharp, regardless of what kind of workload you’re getting on any given night, I think [Sorokin] is very good at that. He’s very focused.”

In front of Sorokin, the Islanders’ defensive structure returned to form after struggling throughout training camp and the preseason, killing off three penalties, including a double minor assessed to Hudson Fasching for high-sticking in the first period.

“I thought [the penalty kill] was outstanding,” Lambert said. “I thought we were right in tune. We pressured up ice. We disrupted. That was a huge kill for us right off the bat.”

The Islanders played without defenseman Scott Mayfield on Tuesday, who is currently day-to-day with a lower-body injury. In his place, the Islanders started Samuel Bolduc.

Overall, it was a promising night for the Islanders on special teams as they got their first power play goal of the year midway through the second period.

Off a faceoff, Mathew Barzal threw a changeup of a one-timer that fooled Coyotes goalie Karel Vejmelka for his first goal of the season.

“It didn’t feel great coming off my stick,” Barzal said. “I got a little lucky. I think sometimes when you’re creating chances, and they’re not going in, you get a little bounce like that, so I was happy to see it go in.”

Noah Dobson and Kyle Palmieri each had assists on the goal.

Barzal nearly factored into another score for the Islanders later in the period. As he flew up the wing, Barzal fired a cross-ice saucer pass that landed right on the tape of a charging Simon Holmstrom at the doorstep of the goal, but the chance was thwarted by the glove of an out-stretched Vejmelka.

“Simon has played well,” Barzal said. “He’s made some good plays, and that line chemistry can take a second. We’ve had flashes and a lot off the rush. We’ll find it.”

Vejmelka stopped 33 of 34 shots in goal for Arizona.

The victory over Arizona gives the Islanders their first pair of back-to-back wins to start a season since beginning 2014-15 with four straight victories.

They’ll go for a three-peat Friday night at home against the New Jersey Devils.