The New York Islanders are making a significant change in Game 3 against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Islanders head coach Patrick Roy announced after morning skate Wednesday that Ilya Sorokin will get his first start of the 2024 playoffs in Game 3 on Thursday.
The Islanders are in a 2-0 hole after blowing a 3-0 lead and falling 5-3 in Game 2. In both games, New York has turned to Semyon Varlamov, who was the hotter of the two goaltenders down the stretch of the regular season.
Varlamov has been okay in the first two games of this series. The 35-year-old stopped 25 of 27 (.920 save percentage) in Game 1, but despite saving 38 shots, was lit up for four goals in the final period and a half of Game 2.
A huge reason that Varlamov took over late in the regular season was the poor rebound control of Sorokin. In Game 2, the Hurricanes scored their first goal on a rebound and set off a dramatic comeback. Roy mentioned that he has seen an improvement in this part of Sorokin’s game as of late.
Plus, a 17-1 Carolina shot advantage in the third period and 39-12 difference overall is likely a good enough reason to give your other starting goalie a chance in Game 3.
“It’ll be good to have someone fresh tomorrow,” Roy said Wednesday.
Sorokin had a decent regular season, going 25-19-12 with a .909 save percentage and a 3.01 goals-against average.
But the 2022-23 All-Star and Vezina Trophy finalist is capable of stealing a game, and that is exactly what Roy and the Islanders are looking for in a vital Game 3 against Carolina.
The Islanders lost the first two and fell to the Hurricanes in six games during the first round of 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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