Islanders B2B Gameday News: Dispatching the Flyers, Rangers are next

In the post-game after last night’s 3-2 shootout win over the Flyers, Barry Trotz said he thinks Ilya Sorokin’s confidence continues to grow. It’s hard to disagree, and indeed I thought the same thing while watching the whole affair. The shootout is not a pure lab environment in which to judge NHL goaltending, however you can see Sorokin’s self-assurance with the way he’s approached the past I-don’t-know-how-many shooters in the breakaway contest.

Last night’s groin-splitter save against Sean Couturier’s rather advanced deke was just the latest example. Sorokin’s WWE-light gestures after completing the shootout wins is another sign. And his confident aggressive positioning while reading the play at 5-on-5 and the penalty kill are another (and perhaps the most promising of all) sign that his adjustment to the NHL is advancing.

Long story short, I’m falling in love. It’s a beautiful thing.

The Islanders are right back at it tonight, part of a 3-in-4, as the Rangers visit the Coliseum. Leave your FIG Picks here.

Islanders News

About last night:

• Less than stellar performance for both teams, so we’ll take the Sorokin points. [LHH]
• “Obviously, in the last 24 hours there was a lot of emotion,” said newcomer Kyle Palmieri. [NHL]
• Flyers fans have had about enough of that Brock Nelson fella. [BSH]
• “The Isles trail Toronto and Carolina by one point in the President’s Trophy race.” [NYI Skinny]
• Another big showing from Brock, and the goalie who’s drawing “Il-ya!” chants from the Coliseum crowd. [Isles]

Thus Spake Trotzathustra:

“I thought [the new guys] did a fine job for the most part,” Barry Trotz said. “When you come into a new situation, it’s emotional for them, it’s a tough first game. But they were fine. I tried to ease them in a little bit.”

He also said moving Oliver Wahlstrom off the roster was about managing the vets and roster flexibility, and not so much about him being banged up.

Meanwhile:

• Yet more analysis on how Zajac and Palmieri will fit in with the Isles. [Sportsnet]
• Yes the Isles spent some futures, but the time is clearly now for them. [Newsday]
• 7 Facts: About Kyle Palmieri [Isles] About Travis Zajac [Isles]
• Devils’ Kyle Palmieri looks up to Bud Harrelson, his ailing godfather. [Newsday]
• Chris King hast to miss at least two more from the radio broadcast due to Covid protocol. [Newsday]
• (Yester)day in Isles history: The Dubie pokecheck. [Isles]

Elsewhere

Last night’s other NHL scores include the Penguins beating the Rangers, the Bruins beating the Capitals (thanks!) and the Devils winning the latest Depression Challenge with the Sabres.

• After dealing two key UFA veterans, the Devils focus on the future. [NHL]
• Niiiine times. That’s the number of times Ferris has skipped school this year and the number of times the Oilers have beaten the Senators to complete a season sweep. [NHL | Sportsnet]
• Steven Stamkos was injured in the Lightning’s win, so the Islanders’ path to the Cup final is assured. [NHL]
• Amid their Covid hell, the Canucks have agreed to a three-year extension with Tanner Pearson. [NHL]
• NHL trade rumors (which suddenly interest us much less): Will the Blues trade Mike Hoffman? ...and other questions. They scratched him, much like the Blues scratched Hoffman. [Sportsnet]
• The Isles are probably done, but if they want to splurge on another defenseman, here are nine that should be available. [Sportsnet]
• Taylor Hall is willing to sign an extension with a new team if it will expedite his exit from hell. [Sportsnet]
• The market for Hall is heating up, it seems. [TSN]
• The Avalanche are devastatingly scary (except in goal), and a major part of it is how dominant they’ve been at even strength. [TSN]