Patrick Roy says NY Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin has recaptured his confidence

As Ilya Sorokin continues to regain his form, Patrick Roy offered a detailed look at what’s driving the New York Islanders’ goaltender’s recent success.

“I just feel like he’s playing with confidence right now,” Roy said following Wednesday’s practice at T-Mobile Arena. “He’s on top of the crease, he’s reading plays well. You could tell when someone’s confident - it makes a big difference in your game.”

Sorokin is 3-0-1 (.949 and 1.46) since October 30th, giving him the 2nd-lowest goals against average and 2nd-highest save percentage of any NHL goalie who has made at least three appearances in that span (Yaroslav Askarov, .972 and 1.32). He has been sharper and more composed in net, a development Roy attributes not only to confidence but also to an added emphasis on puck handling.

“We’ve been doing a few drills where the goalie is moving the puck,” Roy said. “We do it on every morning skate, and we did it again today. I think the more he’s going to face those situations in practice, the more it’s going to help his game and he’s going to be more involved.”

Roy said he personally enjoyed similar work as a player. “I loved when I was playing to be involved in having those drills,” he said. “So I’m sure he loves it as well.” Sorokin’s improved puck play has also supported the Islanders’ breakouts. “Especially on a rim - if he stops it, it’s certainly a lot easier than letting it go,” Roy noted.

But the big reason for Sorokin's turnaround has nothing to do with any one drill he's doing in practice. To be great between the pipes, you need to be great between the ears, and right now, Sorokin is playing as a goalie who is in a great frame of mind. “He’s playing with confidence right now. He’s on top of the crease, reading plays really well. You can tell when someone’s confident — it makes a huge difference in their game.”