Ilya Sorokin ties NY Islanders shutout mark after another 30 plus save performance

By the time Ilya Sorokin's career is over, he very well may own all the individual records in the New York Islanders’ record book, and on Saturday night in Tampa, he matched a record that one player had owned for more than 50 years. With a 32-save performance in a 2–0 win over the Lightning, Sorokin recorded the 25th shutout of his NHL career, tying Glenn "Chico" Resch for the most in Islanders history. Resch had held the club record by himself since October 23, 1975 (50 years, 44 days ago).

Just don’t expect Sorokin to dwell on it.

“Maybe after my career I’ll look at it and say, ‘wow, it’s great,’” Sorokin said following the victory. “But today, I’m just living in the moment and trying to enjoy the game, not look at big things.”

The moment itself was vintage Sorokin — quiet dominance, technical precision, and a calming presence behind a team that had every reason to feel pressure. Tampa pushed hard late, but Sorokin never cracked. And as Casey Cizikas slid the puck into the empty net with two seconds left, sealing both the win and the shutout, Sorokin allowed himself the smallest exhale.

“When I see he scores, it’s a little like… you can make a brief breath,” Sorokin said with a smile. “It was five seconds left, and I know the puck was in the neutral zone. I knew we had a good chance.”

The shutout capped a defining week for the Islanders, who beat Tampa twice and handed Colorado only its second regulation loss in 27 games. And while Sorokin’s stat line sparkles, he insisted the success comes from something far simpler than numbers or milestones.

“I think we just do the right things and play smart and disciplined,” he said. “Today is the day over. Tomorrow is a new day. We should continue to do the right things, play disciplined and with calm.”

That mindset — even-keeled, steady, almost zen-like — has returned for Sorokin this season. And the more action he sees, the more pucks that are coming his way, the better he has been. He is the first Islander goalie to win each of his first seven games that he faced at least thirty shots since Resch won eight straight in 1980-81. It is the 3rd-longest streak in club history.

Sorokin doesn't pat attention to the record books, but we're all noticing how calm and collected he has been playing since November. “He makes it look easy and that’s great goaltending,” Head Coach Patrick Roy said after the game. “He was outstanding from the start of the game.”