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The New York Islanders found themselves firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt as late as April 6, occupying one of the eight qualifying positions. However, a late-season slide saw them finish with 91 points, missing the postseason for the second consecutive year. While the team's overall performance exceeded preseason expectations, the manner of the collapse left a bitter taste.
In an interview with the Russian publication Sport Express, goaltender Ilya Sorokin took personal responsibility for the team's shortcomings. He acknowledged that a netminder is expected to compensate for defensive lapses and deliver in critical moments, something he managed to do consistently in the early part of the season. 'Probably, in the first part of the season, even a little more, I managed to do it. And then it stopped working,' Sorokin admitted. 'There were no gross mistakes, but it was these additional saves that were missing. One or two saves per game. As a result, it was these one or two saves that could give us additional points and lead us to the playoffs.' He emphasized the need to analyze why his performance dipped, stating, 'Now you can say whatever you want, but the main thing is to figure out why this did not happen. That's what summer is for—to work.'
Key Analysis
Sorokin's early-season heroics were instrumental in keeping the Islanders competitive. After losing his first three starts, he embarked on a remarkable 28-game stretch where he posted six shutouts, allowed just 63 goals on 808 shots, and recorded a .922 save percentage with 745 saves. During that span, New York went 17-9-2. However, the grueling schedule took its toll, especially after the 2026 Winter Olympic Break. Sorokin sat out the first two games back but then started four consecutive contests, followed by a stretch of 14 straight starts beginning March 14. In that final run, his performance waned dramatically, as he managed only an .882 save percentage, surrendering 41 goals on 347 shots, while the team went 5-9-0.
Sorokin acknowledged the physical toll, saying, 'I think at some point I was a little short physically. At the end of the season, I began to play almost all the matches in a row, and, perhaps, there was no freshness.' Despite the heavy workload, he remains resolute in his commitment to improvement. Having shouldered a significant burden, Sorokin is determined to use the offseason to build the stamina and consistency needed to avoid a repeat of last season's late fade, ensuring he can carry the team when it matters most.