David Rittich was excellent in New York's 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, but Head Coach Patrick Roy already announced earlier in the week that Sorokin would start on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The Islanders have been impressive lately, winning five of their last six (5-1-0), and have received better goaltending from Ilya Sorokin after a poor start to the season. The 30-year-old Sorokin has a 2.15 GAA and .927 SV% in five November games (3-1-1) and posted an ugly 3.40 GAA and .877 SV% in October (3-4-1).

The Islanders have won two straight and will turn to Sorokin on Thursday in the front end of a back-to-back when they visit the Vegas Golden Knights. After an awful start to the season, posting an ugly 3.70 GAA and .868 SV% in seven games (2-4-1), the 30-year-old Sorkin has rebounded nicely in recent games. He has a superb 1.50 GAA and .949 SV% in his last four games (3-0-1), reminding Islanders' fans of the elite ability that put him in the Vezina conversation in recent seasons.

Sorokin has struggled this season but is coming off his best performance, making 33 saves for his first shutout of the season in a 5-0 win over the New York Rangers. The 30-year-old goalie hopes to build off his recent outing when he returns to the crease on Monday against the New Jersey Devils. He has a 3.00 GAA and .893 SV% in 10 games this season (4-4-2). The Islanders enter Monday's contest as +132 road underdogs against a Devils team that is undefeated at home this season, with a perfect 7-0-0 record.

The Islanders received solid goaltending from David Rittich in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, but they will revert back to Sorokin between the pipes on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. The 30-year-old Sorokin has had a forgetful 2025-26 season, posting a 3.40 GAA and .877 SV% in eight games (3-4-1). That said, he played well in his most recent outing, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Washington Capitals.

The Islanders' defensive woes continued with David Rittich tending the twine in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Islanders. The team will flip the script on the tail end of their back-to-back, turning to Sorokin between the pipes on Friday against the Washington Capitals. That said, the Islanders haven't fared much better with Sorokin. The 30-year-old Sorokin is off to a forgetful start, posting an ugly 3.75 GAA and .868 SV% in seven games (2-4-1). The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as +187 road underdogs against a 6-4-0 Capitals team.

After losing their first three games to start the season (0-3-0), the Islanders have points in five straight (4-0-1). Despite their recent surge in play, the Islanders are still hoping for another level out of Sorokin between the pipes. The 30-year-old netminder is off to a lackluster start to the season, posting an unspectacular 3.70 GAA and .875 SV% in six outings (2-3-1). He returns to the crease on Tuesday against a Boston Bruins team on the tail end of a back-to-back.

The Islanders are off to a 2-3-0 start to the 2025-26 season and have relied heavily on Ilya Sorokin, but he has not been able to consistently deliver when called upon. The 30-year-old Sorokin has an alarming 4.13 GAA and .861 SV% in four games this season (1-3-0). Sorokin and the Islanders hope to rebound on Tuesday when they face-off against the San Jose Sharks, the only team in the NHL yet to record a victory (0-3-2).

Sorokin gave up four goals on 25 shots in the Islanders loss to the Jets on Monday. He was giving Thursday night off and David Rittich turned in an excellent performance, but they will go back to Sorokin this afternoon in Ottawa. Sorokin has allowed four goals in all three of his starts this season, going 0-3-0 with a 4.18 GAA and .854 SV%.

Searching for their first victory of the 2025-26 season (0-2-0), the Islanders will roll with Sorokin for a third straight game. The 30-year-old Sorokin is coming off a disappointing season in which he posted a 2.71 GAA and .907 SV% in 60 games (30-24-6). Through two games this season (0-2-0), the veteran goalie has a 4.21 GAA and .860 SV%; not promising numbers for a goalie hoping to return to the 2.34 GAA and .924 SV% he posted in 2022-23, when he finished as the runner-up for the Vezina Trophy. The Islanders enter Monday's contest as +111 home underdogs against the Winnipeg Jets.

After posting elite totals in his first three NHL seasons, Sorokin has posted a 2.86 GAA and .908 SV% in 117 combined appearances over the last two seasons (55-43-18); a steep decline from the 2.34 GAA and .924 SV% in his previous 136 games (70-46-18). Although still a talented netminder, Sorokin's recent stats are likely more aligned with what can be expected in the 2025-26 season. Still, the Islanders enter their season-opening matchup on Thursday as -127 road favourites against a Pittsburgh Penguins team coming off a 3-0 opening-night victory over the New York Rangers.

The Islanders are coming off a 1-0 win over the New Jersey Devils, a 25-save shutout performance by Sorokin, his fourth of the season. The 29-year-old Sorokin has a 2.72 GAA and .906 SV% in 60 games this season (30-23-6). He will return to the crease on Tuesday against a Washington Capitals team he saved 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) against in a 4-1 win less than two weeks ago. The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as slight -104 home underdogs against the Capitals.

Sorokin left Tuesday's game in the third period and is not on the ice for Thursday's morning skate, suggesting he will not be available vs. the Rangers. Tristan Lennox was recalled from the AHL and is expected to serve as Marcus Hogberg's backup.

Despite allowing Alex Ovechkin's record-breaking 895th goal on Sunday, Sorokin was excellent, saving 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) in the 4-1 win. He will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Nashville Predators. The 29-year-old Sorokin has a 2.73 GAA and .906 SV% in 58 games this season (29-23-6). The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as -115 home favorites against a Predators team amid a six-game losing skid (0-6-0).