"If the New York Islanders' season ends up being defined by one thing, it might not be a power play, a defensive lapse, or even a trade deadline move. It could come down to the shootout. That is not an exaggeration; it is a trend that is shaping the Isles' season in real time. The numbers tell the story. The Isles have lost five straight shootouts, nine of their last eleven, and 22 of their last 28 overall."
""He asked me about how I [played] shootouts," Roy said per the New York Post before the Isles' 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild later that night, in which Sorokin did not play. "I just explained to him what I was trying to do, force guys to beat me inside instead of shooting. At the end of the day, I really appreciate that he came to me. I feel like it's a great step.""
"Tuesday's shootout loss to Boston only fueled the urgency. Bruins forward Marat Khusnutdinov said afterward he knew Sorokin would bite on his first move, a scouting report that has surely made its way around the league. Moving forward, Sorokin's nerves and execution in shootouts could determine just how far the Islanders go this season. Roy will do what he can, leaning on his experience and the film's guidance to help the franchise goaltender searching for solutions."
The New York Islanders have struggled disproportionately in shootouts, losing five straight, nine of their last eleven, and 22 of their last 28 games, with a 3-10 all-time shootout record at UBS Arena. Franchise goaltender Ilya Sorokin has lost both shootouts he has faced this season and carries a career mark of 7-16 with a .623 save percentage. Sorokin sought guidance from Hall of Famer Patrick Roy, who advised forcing shooters to beat him inside rather than committing to outside moves. Opponents have begun targeting Sorokin's tendencies, and shootout performance now carries heightened importance for the team's postseason prospects.
Read at Eyes On Isles
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