Ben Shelley: Islanders shut out Predators, control their own playoff destiny

Welp, it’s lookin like Varlys team to finish off the season..

Welp, it’s lookin like Varlys team to finish off the season..
- kindlyrick

It goes back to the days of Arbour when he would ride either Chico or Smitty. Whoever had the hot hand. Would not look too deep into it.

It goes back to the days of Arbour when he would ride either Chico or Smitty. Whoever had the hot hand. Would not look too deep into it.
- Nfdbulldawg

Varly has been sharper. Have to go with the hot hand right now.

Varly has been sharper. Have to go with the hot hand right now.
- ses111

100%. He held the fort in the second when we were getting our butts kicked last game.

It goes back to the days of Arbour when he would ride either Chico or Smitty. Whoever had the hot hand. Would not look too deep into it.
- Nfdbulldawg

Not looking deep into it, I think Varly has outplayed Sorokin. Gotta go with the hot goalie

Not looking deep into it, I think Varly has outplayed Sorokin. Gotta go with the hot goalie
- kindlyrick

I just hope the Rangers are due for a loss tomorrow.

I just hope the Rangers are due for a loss tomorrow.
- ses111

Being that the Rangers clinched, one would think the isles will be hungrier. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Not looking deep into it, I think Varly has outplayed Sorokin. Gotta go with the hot goalie
- kindlyrick

I agree. Varly has the hot hand.

Being that the Rangers clinched, one would think the isles will be hungrier. 🤷🏻‍♂️
- kindlyrick

One would think that if the isles want to make the playoffs. They would be starving and acting ravaged dogs.

On another note, why in the world would Bettman consider Atlanta for a potentially third time after the first two have failed? Pick another city for expansion Gary.

On another note, why in the world would Bettman consider Atlanta for a potentially third time after the first two have failed? Pick another city for expansion Gary.
- Nfdbulldawg

This time the Islanders will lose Barzal or Bo in expansion.

Obviously this is a foregone conclusion at this point, but you have to ride Varly.

This will sound a bit crazy, but I'm a little worried the Isles have 'overcoached' Sorokin. During his first two seasons with the Isles, Sorokin lived and died off of his natural instincts, moving as fast from post to post as any goalie I've seen since Felix Potvin. On occasion, this could get him in trouble since he would overslide past the post leaving a bit too much net for the rebound.

You can see this year that Piero Greco clearly worked with Sorokin a lot on being 'more controlled' in his post to post movement. He almost never overslides now. The problem is, that's caused Sorokin to perhaps take a good bit of speed off of his post to post movement for the sake of being more controlled. As a goalie, that type of stuff can creep into your head too. Focusing more on positional play than the puck can be a total mindfuk for some. Based on Sorokin's comments to Rosner recently, he's also being coached to go full aggressive positioning himself into screens more as opposed to backing into the net and relying on his reactions after the tip. He seemed sort of resigned to that one saying (paraphrase) "They're telling me to do that, so that's what I have to do".

It's funny how stuff like that can start to impact other facets of your game, especially when you start to lose confidence. Mitch Korn doesn't work with the goalies and admittingly I don't know much about Greco other than the fact that he had never coached in the NHL before this (he came fromt the Marlies).

It could be a long time before we see Sorokin return to 2022 form.

Obviously this is a foregone conclusion at this point, but you have to ride Varly.

This will sound a bit crazy, but I'm a little worried the Isles have 'overcoached' Sorokin. During his first two seasons with the Isles, Sorokin lived and died off of his natural instincts, moving as fast from post to post as any goalie I've seen since Felix Potvin. On occasion, this could get him in trouble since he would overslide past the post leaving a bit too much net for the rebound.

You can see this year that Piero Greco clearly worked with Sorokin a lot on being 'more controlled' in his post to post movement. He almost never overslides now. The problem is, that's caused Sorokin to perhaps take a good bit of speed off of his post to post movement for the sake of being more controlled. As a goalie, that type of stuff can creep into your head too. Focusing more on positional play than the puck can be a total mindfuk for some. Based on Sorokin's comments to Rosner recently, he's also being coached to go full aggressive positioning himself into screens more as opposed to backing into the net and relying on his reactions after the tip. He seemed sort of resigned to that one saying (paraphrase) "They're telling me to do that, so that's what I have to do".

It's funny how stuff like that can start to impact other facets of your game, especially when you start to lose confidence. Mitch Korn doesn't work with the goalies and admittingly I don't know much about Greco other than the fact that he had never coached in the NHL before this (he came fromt the Marlies).

It could be a long time before we see Sorokin return to 2022 form.
- keaner17

You are hired as the new goalie coach keaner. Something seems off with Sorokin this year and it's not just the defensive play of the team.

You are hired as the new goalie coach keaner. Something seems off with Sorokin this year and it's not just the defensive play of the team.
- ses111

- JohnScammo

I guess carrying around all that money can slow Sorokin down.

Andrew Gross
@AGrossNewsday
21h
Report that D Andrea Glauser, 28, of
Lausanne HC in Swiss-A league has reportedly attracted #Isles attention.

Andrew Gross
@AGrossNewsday
21h
Report that D Andrea Glauser, 28, of
Lausanne HC in Swiss-A league has reportedly attracted #Isles attention.


- eichiefs9

Lou has to like he is 28. Can we give them Mayfield and Pierre? I would have liked this outside the box thinking from Lou before the deals he gave out to Mayfield and Pierre.

Obviously this is a foregone conclusion at this point, but you have to ride Varly.

This will sound a bit crazy, but I'm a little worried the Isles have 'overcoached' Sorokin. During his first two seasons with the Isles, Sorokin lived and died off of his natural instincts, moving as fast from post to post as any goalie I've seen since Felix Potvin. On occasion, this could get him in trouble since he would overslide past the post leaving a bit too much net for the rebound.

You can see this year that Piero Greco clearly worked with Sorokin a lot on being 'more controlled' in his post to post movement. He almost never overslides now. The problem is, that's caused Sorokin to perhaps take a good bit of speed off of his post to post movement for the sake of being more controlled. As a goalie, that type of stuff can creep into your head too. Focusing more on positional play than the puck can be a total mindfuk for some. Based on Sorokin's comments to Rosner recently, he's also being coached to go full aggressive positioning himself into screens more as opposed to backing into the net and relying on his reactions after the tip. He seemed sort of resigned to that one saying (paraphrase) "They're telling me to do that, so that's what I have to do".

It's funny how stuff like that can start to impact other facets of your game, especially when you start to lose confidence. Mitch Korn doesn't work with the goalies and admittingly I don't know much about Greco other than the fact that he had never coached in the NHL before this (he came fromt the Marlies).

It could be a long time before we see Sorokin return to 2022 form.
- keaner17

I think instead of over coached sOrOkin has been over used. Last year and especially this year with the lack luster defensive play that the Isles showed under Lane.
In the KHL the most he played in a season was 40 games once. He’s played a lot of hockey the last few years and I think it’s affected him.
For me it started against the Canes last year in the PO. While making incredible saves he let in untimely soft goals and it’s continued this year.
I think he’s tired mentally more so than physically and playing Varly might give sOrOkin the time to refresh his game.
It’s been awhile since we have said wow sOrOkin stole that game.

I think instead of over coached sOrOkin has been over used. Last year and especially this year with the lack luster defensive play that the Isles showed under Lane.
In the KHL the most he played in a season was 40 games once. He’s played a lot of hockey the last few years and I think it’s affected him.
For me it started against the Canes last year in the PO. While making incredible saves he let in untimely soft goals and it’s continued this year.
I think he’s tired mentally more so than physically and playing Varly might give sOrOkin the time to refresh his game.
It’s been awhile since we have said wow sOrOkin stole that game.
- nyisles7

If you include the last three 3 years that is 168 games to date and an average of 56 games per season.

Predictions for tonight?

I say the 1st period is the Isles best period. Final score Rags 5 and Isles 2. Rags with the empty netter.

Are we worried?

I really would rather not play you guys in rd 1 lol rd 2 ok, let’s roll

Are we worried?

I really would rather not play you guys in rd 1 lol rd 2 ok, let’s roll
- Slimtj100

I would rather play Columbus every night. LOL

Predictions for tonight?

I say the 1st period is the Isles best period. Final score Rags 5 and Isles 2. Rags with the empty netter.
- Nfdbulldawg

I'll go with a final score of Rags 3 - Isles 2 OT. Panarin with the game winner.

I'll go with a final score of Rags 3 - Isles 2 OT. Panarin with the game winner.
- JohnScammo

5-2 Rags. I'm hoping my negativity causes a karmic reaction, but I think reality strikes tonight