This one stat separates NY Islanders Ilya Sorokin from other elite NHL Goaltenders

New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin has built a reputation as one of the NHL's premier netminders, but a recently compiled statistic shows just how much he has separated himself from the rest of the league in one area.

Over the last five seasons, Sorokin has recorded 26 shutouts in 286 games, the most in the NHL during that span. Connor Hellebuyck ranks second with 21 shutouts in 310 appearances, while Igor Shesterkin is third with 20 in 278 games. That gap is significant.

Despite playing fewer games than Hellebuyck, Sorokin has produced five more shutouts, underscoring his ability to deliver complete-game performances at a rate unmatched by his peers. Darcy Kuemper and Sergei Bobrovsky are tied for fourth with 19 shutouts, leaving Sorokin as the only goaltender to surpass 25 over the last five seasons.

With scoring rising across the league, a goaltender must not only make routine saves but also withstand odd-man rushes, screens, rebounds, and special teams on a nightly basis. That was especially true of Sorokin as the Islanders bled high-danger shots over the last two seasons, something that new head coach Pete DeBoer hopes to clean up in his first full season.

The statistic also reflects a level of consistency that has defined his career since arriving from the KHL. His 29 career shutouts are already tops all-time amongst Islanders goaltenders after he recorded seven shutouts for the second time in his career last season.

At 30 years old (turns 31 in early August) and under contract through the 2031-32 season, Sorokin remains firmly in the middle of his prime. If his recent track record is any indication, his lead atop the NHL's shutout leaderboard amongst active players may continue to grow.

He likely started his NHL career too late to chase down the All-time shutout marks, but it's more likely than not that he will continue to distance himself amongst his goaltending peers.

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