NY Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin named NHL first start of the week

The National Hockey League named New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin the First Star of the Week on Monday, recognizing a dominant three-game stretch in which he helped stabilize the Islanders and tied a long-standing franchise record.

Sorokin went 3-0-0 for the week ending Dec. 7, stopping 97 of 101 shots for a .960 save percentage and a 1.33 goals-against average in two games against the Tampa Bay Lightning and one against the Colorado Avalanche. He recorded his third shutout of the season — and the 25th of his career — in a 2-0 win over Tampa Bay on Dec. 6, tying Glenn “Chico” Resch for the most shutouts in Islanders history.

In 20 starts this season, Sorokin is 10-8-2 with a .912 save percentage and 2.47 GAA, one of only two NHL goaltenders with at least three shutouts. Since Nov. 1, he has posted a 7-4-1 record with a .934 save percentage, 1.84 GAA and three shutouts.

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger was named the NHL’s Second Star of the Week after going 3-0-0 with a 0.98 GAA, .961 save percentage and one shutout. Oettinger, who leads the league with 14 wins, posted victories over New Jersey, San Jose and Pittsburgh as Dallas extended its point streak to 10 games. Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe earned Third Star honors after scoring in all three games he played last week. Verhaeghe totaled four goals and one assist, including the game-winner in Florida’s 4-1 win over the Islanders on Dec. 7.

Sorokin, selected by the Islanders in the third round of the 2014 draft, is in his sixth NHL season. He ranks top four in franchise history in games played, wins, starts and saves, and owns the second-lowest career GAA among Islanders goaltenders with at least 50 appearances.