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New York Islanders

Islanders Room: Sorokin Gushes over Romanov, Humble Holmstrom

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Ilya Sorokin stops a shot during the first period // AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

ELMONT, N.Y. — The New York Islanders (22-20-7) dug deep. They won their fifth game in a row, closing out a very successful homestand with an emphatic third period against the Colorado Avalanche (29-21-2).



The Islanders are alive after being declared dead in the water multiple times. Vultures circled constantly talking about acquiring Brock Nelson, hinting that a further retool and rebuild could be afoot.

That talk is firmly on hold for the foreseeable future. The Islanders find themselves in the thick of the race with five straight wins and two defensive additions that look like a pair of shrewd adds by Team President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello.

What’s more, on the night they beat the Avalanche, four teams in front of them in the Wild Card Race all lost- The Lightning, Bruins, Rangers, and Canadiens all suffered regulation losses. The Islanders are only four points out of a playoff spot with games in hand on everyone except the Tampa Bay Lightning.

You’re forgiven if you thought this team might be done. I’m right there with you. Head Coach Patrick Roy preached positivity and said throughout the down times, “The game will be fair eventually.”

It’s safe to say the game is starting to repay his faith.

Sorokin Stands Out in Victory:

Ilya Sorokin made 30 saves, and 24 of them came in the first two periods. He kept his team in it despite Colorado doing whatever it wanted offensively for large stretches. Asked about the speed of Colorado, Sorokin told NYIHN:

“[They’re] a really fast team. A lot of passes, I think my head going to side to side [constantly]. They’re really good, but we played a good game too.”

Sorokin also praised the defense for keeping the shot lanes visible for him. In doing so, he downplayed his role in the win because he had to make some truly spectacular saves throughout the game on rebounds and clean looks for Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.

Later, Sorokin mentioned how fun it is to watch Alexander Romanov when he plays: “He always plays at 200% power. It’s fun to watch his hits every game.”

Romanov scored and laid a gigantic hit on Cale Makar. He finished a 25:16 time on ice, a +2, six hits, four blocked shots, and five shots of his own. Dominance from Romanov.

Humble Holmstrom:

Simon Holmstrom again spoke exclusively to NYIHN about his big performance with two goals and an assist to boot.

Speaking about his efforts defensively and on the penalty kill (2/2 tonight, 18/20 in January, he said: “Our line all night did a great job defensively, which you gotta have against these types of teams. Really good team effort.”

Holmstrom’s first goal seemed as if he barely even got a look at the Colorado goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood before he ripped a snipe on his blocker.

I asked Holmstrom if he saw his shot or if it was more of a blind rip, and his answer speaks to his IQ for the game. He said: “Yeah, he kind of had a wide stance I was just trying to put between his leg and stick. So, I was a little lucky to get it through, but it was nice to see it go in.”

Being lucky to get it through is a major understatement, and he actively does his goal a disservice. He ripped it off the pipe and in and couldn’t have placed the shot any better.

 

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