Islanders riding IIya Sorokin in goal during their playoff push
Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders cools off during the second period against the Winnipeg Jets at UBS Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Not even coach Lane Lambert, who is loath to reveal any lineup information, is hiding the fact that Islanders No. 1 goalie Ilya Sorokin is going to get the bulk of the work for the foreseeable future.
Friday night’s 3-2 loss to the Kings at UBS Arena marked Sorokin’s third straight start. Semyon Varlamov has played in only two of nine games.
The Islanders, in a desperate battle for a playoff spot, do not have back-to-back games until March 14-15 in Los Angeles and Anaheim and will play only seven games in the first 20 days of March. So Sorokin can both get his rest and play a lot.
“It’s a challenge right now for Varly, having not played, there’s no question about it,” Lambert said. “I reach back on his professionalism and his ability to prepare. So we’re counting on that.”
Martin’s milestone
Matt Martin, known more for his physical play than his offensive capabilities in his 10-plus seasons with the Islanders, matched the career high he set in 2015-16 with 19 points.
Martin had the secondary assist on defenseman Adam Pelech’s third-period goal, giving him seven goals and 12 assists as well as extending his point streak to four games (one goal, three assists).
“It’s not something I really focus on,” said Martin, who logged 13:53 with a team-high five shots as he continues to play on Bo Horvat’s top line with Anders Lee. “I try to play the same way every night. I’ve been getting some opportunities and capitalizing on some chances.”
Isles files
LW Josh Bailey (upper body) missed his fourth game but participated in the morning skate, his first time on ice with teammates since getting hurt. He remains day-to-day . . . It was Deaf Awareness Night with closed captioning on the scoreboard . . . D Parker Wotherspoon remained a healthy scratch.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
