Ilya Sorokin activated off IR, NY Islanders goaltending tandem reunited

Ilya Sorokin was officially activated off the injured reserve on Friday, allowing him to be eligible to return to the crease for the first time since December 19th against Vancouver. The Islanders placed him on the IR because of a "nagging lower-body injury," according to Isles head coach Patrick Roy.

Sorokin is officially back.

But thankfully for the Isles, Sorokin has returned to action and skated at Isles practice on Friday. He also participated in morning skate ahead of the Isles matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night. Although Sorokin will be dressing for the game, David Rittich will start against the Leafs in goal, looking to bounce back after a poor outing on New Year's Day against the Utah Mammoth.

Roy shared his plan for Sorokin's return to the ice with the media after practice on Friday. "Tomorrow he will be back up," Roy said. "It's just for him to get his game shape and add a couple of practices, to play against (New Jersey) is the plan." So it looks as though the official return of Ilya Sorokin will come during the Isles matchup against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.

Sorokin spoke to the media following morning skate on Saturday. "I feel good," Sorokin said, "In a couple days it should be good." He was also asked about Rittich's excellent play during his absence. "He played awesome," Sorokin said, "He had seven or eight starts, it's tough, but he played really good every game. He gave a chance to our team, and he did a great job." Rittich did do a great job in place of Sorokin during his time away from the ice, propelling himself to the top of the leaderboard on many goaltending stats.

But with Sorokin returning to the ice, the Isles once again will have their dynamic duo of two of the best goaltenders in the league. Sorokin ranks second in the league in goals saved above expected, with 22.8 GSAx, only trailing the Rangers' Igor Shesterkin, who has 24.3 GSAx. While Rittich is right up at the top of the league in the stat as well, with 17.3 GSAx during his 17 games this season. The Isles also rank second in the league in shutouts, with 5five, only trailing the Minnesota Wild's seven. Sorokin has three of them, while Rittich has the other two.

Sorokin's return to the lineup is a crucial factor for the Isles to continue their suprising success this season. Especially with the scoring woes the team is going through, their goaltending will need to continue to be top tier to keep winning games.