Islanders' goalie prospect dominating overseas as defensive woes continue
The New York Islanders' poor goaltending and awful defensive play have been under the microscope all season. The club ranks dead last in goals against per game, shots against per game, scoring chances against per game, and high-danger scoring chances against per game, per Natural Stat Trick. This comes despite the fact they have one of the league's most dynamic offenses.
Related: Capitals' Burakovsky gives harsh critique of Islanders' defense
However, it appears help in regard to goal prevention could be coming. Ilya Sorokin, a third-round pick of the Islanders in 2014, is having a lights-out postseason for CSKA Moscow over in the KHL.
5 playoff games
— KHL (@khl_eng) March 17, 2018
5 wins
4 shutouts
99 saves
1 goal allowed
1 assist
A term "good goalie" is far away from Ilya Sorokin. He's fantastic. pic.twitter.com/KSXqFwYFz4
For those counting at home, that equates to a 0.20 goals-against average and a .990 save percentage. These are downright ridiculous numbers that don't appear to be a fluke, either. He was the KHL's goalie of the year in 2015-16 and has backed it up with two solid regular seasons:
| Season | Age | GP | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 20 | 28 | 1.06 | .953 | 10 |
| 2016-17 | 21 | 39 | 1.61 | .929 | 5 |
| 2017-18 | 22 | 37 | 1.59 | .934 | 10 |
The only problem is Sorokin is signed through the 2019-20 season in the KHL, so unless that deal breaks, or has an out clause (which isn't uncommon with KHL contracts), it could be another couple years before Sorokin makes his way over to North America.