New York Islanders

Islanders Wrap: Breaking Down Sorokin’s Game, Washington Free Fall, NHL on Ukraine

Published

2 years ago

March 1, 2022

After an impressive win over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night, the New York Islanders are back in action as they face the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night at 9 PM ET. The Islanders had players step up in the absence of Mathew Barzal and Zdeno Chara on Sunday. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Ilya Sorokin’s game? The New York Islanders have dealt with injuries this season, but how have the older ones affected them?

These stories and more in the latest Islanders Wrap:

On Sunday, without Mathew Barzal and Zdeno Chara, the New York Islanders defeated the Anaheim Ducks by 4-0. It was a much different game for the Islanders than what was on display Saturday night in the 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Here are the takeaways. (NYI Hockey Now)

It seems like all the New York Islanders have done this season is hit milestones. Well, we can add another one to the list, as goaltender Ilya Sorokin won his 30th career NHL game on Sunday night against the Anaheim Ducks, with a shutout to go along with it. His 30th win and eighth career shutout have come in just 57 NHL games. Here’s a breakdown of the positives and negatives of Sorokin’s game from what we have seen so far over his short NHL career. (NYI Hockey Now)

Although the Islanders have dealt with injuries this season to key pieces, the Islanders also came into the season with players fresh off off-season surgeries and/or rehabs. And although some of those players have produced, each one of them has not looked like themselves this season. (NYI Hockey Now)

The Boston Bruins dominated the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night as they put up seven goals in a 7-0 win. Jake DeBrusk stayed hot as he recorded his first career NHL hat trick, while Jeremy Swayman stopped 34 of 34 for his fifth career shutout. These talking points and more from the lopsided victory. (Boston Hockey Now)

The NHL trade deadline is three weeks away. The Pittsburgh Penguins are fresh from a thrilling 1-0 win over division rival New York Rangers and a 3-2 comeback win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. A couple of solid defensive performances should make all involved feel better, especially after hanging goalie Tristan Jarry out to dry in the previous three games in which he gave up no less than four goals in each. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Forward Ruslan “Rusty” Fedotenko had two stints with the Philadelphia Flyers and won the Stanley Cup while playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins during a 12-year NHL career. But his championships and his NHL seasons are not on his mind these days. War is. (Philly Hockey Now)

With the Florida Panthers as deep as they are at forward, there is always going to be one or two players left out of the lineup on any given night. Over the past two months, more often than not, one of those players has been Frank Vatrano. For the first time since he became a regular with the Panthers in 2018, Vatrano has found himself working as a scratch player trying to claw his way back into the lineup. Add all of the trade rumors into the mix and it has been a tough time for a player who has become a fan favorite with the Panthers.(Florida Hockey Now)

As the final buzzer sounded at Capital One Arena, Alex Ovechkin skated over the Washington Capitals bench, and slammed his stick in frustration, breaking it into pieces. It was symbolic of how the team has been feeling of late, as they suffered yet another loss on home ice. (Washington Hockey Now)

The Vegas Golden Knights are struggling to find consistent offense this season. Just when it seems like they have a player getting hot that player either falls off or gets injured. Exhibit A is Max Pacioretty, who fell off harder than season one of the Book of Boba Fett. The Golden Knights have scored just ten goals in their last six games. For the first time in franchise history, they were shut out in consecutive games against the Colorado Avalanche and Calgary Flames. (Vegas Hockey Now)

The Avalanche went through a full practice Monday at Ball Arena — still minus Bo Byram, who skated on his own earlier, but with everyone else on the current roster. It also was the 50th birthday of coach Jared Bednar, and preparations were being made to salute defenseman Jack Johnson when he plays his 1,000th NHL game on Tuesday night. (Colorado Hockey Now)

James Reimer sighed — after 73 saves on 77 shots in back-to-back starts — when he sat down for his post-game media availability “Tired?” I asked. Reimer, after his 12th consecutive start, just the third time in his 12-year NHL career that he’s started 10 or more straight games, beamed, “No, no. I’m good to go. Let’s [play] another one.” (San Jose Hockey Now)

Coming off an impressive, adrenaline-filled Sunday night at Madison Square Garden that saw the Canucks beat the New York Rangers 5-2, Vancouver would be confronted with a much lower energy environment at the Prudential Center in Newark facing the New Jersey Devils. Here are the takeaways. (Vancouver Hockey Now)

Every time Calgary Flames head coach Darryl Sutter puts certain veterans into the lineup over younger, more tantalizing talents, a number of fans feel part of their soul die. But the move worked well on Saturday night, as veterans Brad Richardson and Brett Ritchie formed an effective trio with Trevor Lewis. They didn’t get onto the scoresheet, but every shift in the early going seemed to give the team a boost during the 7-3 Calgary Flames win over the Minnesota Wild. (Calgary Hockey Now)

On Tuesday, the NHL made a statement on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The league condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and urges a peaceful resolution as quickly as possible. All relationships with Russian, from advertisements to Russian NHL sites, to future events, have been stopped. More on the NHL’s message and decision. (NHL)