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Ilya Sorokin did something no NY Islanders goalie has done in over a half century

ByJiggs Westfall
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Oct 17, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Islanders forward Casey Cizikas (53) and goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) celebrate a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Oct 17, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Islanders forward Casey Cizikas (53) and goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) celebrate a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

For more than half a century, Billy Smith and Chico Resch have occupied the top two spots on the New York Islanders' all-time wins list. Different generations of goaltenders have come and gone, but nobody managed to break up that legendary duo.

Until Saturday night.

With the Islanders' 4-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ilya Sorokin earned his 158th career win, moving past Resch into sole possession of second place in franchise history.

It's a pretty remarkable milestone when you consider that Smith and Resch had held the top two spots, in some order, since October 10, 1975. Resch tied Gerry Desjardins the following day, and the two Islanders legends have essentially owned those positions for 51 years.

Now Sorokin has officially entered the conversation. And, he's nowhere close to finished.

Sorokin
Oct 17, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov (40) and goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) celebrate a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The 31-year-old stopped 28 shots against Toronto, including five while shorthanded, lowering his season goals-against average to an impressive 1.68.

"Sorokin made some unbelievable saves when he had to," Bo Horvat said afterward. "He was our best [penalty] killer tonight, and he has to be."

The Islanders killed all three Toronto power plays, including a crucial opportunity late in the third period. Pete DeBoer credited assistant coach Bob Boughner's preparation and the defensive instincts of Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock and the team's penalty-killing forwards.

Through eight games, the Isles have surrendered just 17 goals, including three empty-netters, their fewest since 2001. Only Dallas has allowed fewer.

For a team still trying to establish consistency, that's something to build around. If the Islanders were going to surprise people this season, they're team defense needed to be much-improved and Sorokin neeed to maintain his Vezina Trophy form. So far, both those things are happening.

And with Sorokin playing like this, the Islanders have a chance every night.

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