Injury Update: Sorokin Feeling Better, Could Return Real Soon

The New York Islanders did not just lose 4-1 on Sunday to the Tampa Bay Lightning but also lost netminder Ilya Sorokin after two periods of play.

Following the contest, New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz shared that Sorokin had an upper-body injury and that he would be re-evaluated.

On Tuesday, the New York Islanders officially recalled goaltender Cory Schneider from Bridgeport, a sign that Ilya Sorokin would not be available when the Islanders face the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Following Tuesday’s morning skate, in which Sorokin was not present, Trotz gave another update.

“He didn’t make the trip. He’s feeling better,” Trotz said. “And we’ll see where he is tomorrow. We’ll be back at the facility. It’s a day off but he’ll be back there and we’ll get him reassessed.”

“And if he’s feeling fine, we’ll probably get him on the ice. If he’s not, he’ll stay in and get better.”

Although Trotz did not say that a concussion was the reason for his absence, he did take two pucks to the head on Sunday. A wrist shot by Pat Maroon in the first period snapped the straps on Sorokin’s helmet right off and later in the contest, Sorokin took a Steven Stamkos one-timer up high, which then deflected off his helmet.

Sorokin has been on top of his game as of late and currently ranks second in the NHL with a .927 SV%, fifth in the NHL with a 2.30 GAA, and second in shutouts, with six.

New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello took a lot of heat for not moving veteran netminder Semyon Varlamov at the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline. Although if he had, he would have been given a goaltender in return, the New York Islanders now will be relying on the Varlamov-Schneider tandem until Sorokin is ready.

In each of Schneider’s two call-ups this season, he has not appeared in an NHL contest.

Schneider, who was not having a strong season, has actually played a significant part in the Bridgeport Islanders push into a playoff spot (point percentage). In 24 games played this season, Schneider owns a 2.68 GAA and a .921 SV%.

The Islanders do have a back-to-back situation this Thursday and Friday so Schneider may get to play if Sorokin is not ready by then.

But it seems that Sorokin could be back on the ice as soon as Wednesday, which is a strong sign that his absence will be rather short.