Ilya Sorokin’s season didn’t begin with the kind of numbers that usually launch a Vezina Trophy conversation. Through his first seven starts, the Islanders’ No. 1 was 2-4-1 with an .868 save percentage and a 3.75 goals-against average — numbers that looked more alarming than elite. But since Oct. 31, Sorokin hasn’t just steadied the ship. He’s completely taken over the league.
From that point forward, Sorokin is 12-6-1 with a sparkling .932 save percentage and a 2.00 GAA, along with four shutouts. Only Jesper Wallstedt has matched that shutout total during the same span, and no goalie has been more consistently valuable to his team night after night.