Just back from UBS, a great crowd tonight.   People were lined up throughout the concourse to buy 50-50 tickets for support of the family of recently slain NYC police officer Diller - who was murdered by a criminal recently.   Officer Diller was a huge Isles fan.   Lots of first responders at the game and the team played well.    Varlamov was fabulous and he will likely be the starter for the near future.   Kevin Lankanen of Nashville was really fine in the nets tonight.   I think the Isles are back in a groove.   If they can smoke the Rag$ and beat the Canadiens - what a turnaround.   Their achilles heel this year has been the PK and they killed 2 off in a row off a NSH team that played great tonight.  

Hey Dave!  First off, I hope people don't mind me chiming in from time to time.  I had been a lurker for many years on this site - and used to come to it so I could watch highlights from the Hockey Night In Canada clips Paul would post.   for many years on the Island - we could not get HNIC and I always loved the Coaches Corner and the interview in between period shows - Isles often play at home on Saturday and I was at the Coli (or now UBS) and came here so I could reliably see these interviews.

Soroki, he's fine.  Someone who has a higher pay grade would do a better job - but I look at it this way.   at a 4 Million cap hit  - Soroki is a great value.  Next year he goes north of 8mm a year and he has to raise his game to correspond to that cap hit.    And to prove your point about team/system issues - look at Soroki's close friend - Igor Shesterkin.  His season in 2021-22 was flat out amazing stats wise.   team had 110 points.  Went to 3rd round to lose to Tampa no shame there.

Igor had a 2.07 GAA in 2022, 2.48 the next year and currently 2.67 GAA  - and they are in the lead for President's trophy so far this year.   His play has not been as good - but with the team winning - ever hear anyone discussing his game?  No.  And rightfully so.  Save %  .935, .916 and .911

Soroki's numbers - same time period - 2.40, 2.33 and currently 3.00 GAA.  Save % .924, .923 and now its .908    Next season - Soroki Sorokin will have a much bigger cap hit than his very good friend Igor (they train together and spend a lot of time together in NY I understand.  They are friends from their days in Russia)

Up until about a month ago - the team in front of Ilya was a disaster and he likely has seen more rubber than any other goalie - hence his numbers.   That said - his game is off a bit now - but he came through in Columbus and I would sleep like a baby if he took the reins again.   Patrick Roy had Varly Varlamov in Colorado and knows his game and trusts him - he has said that on the drive home from the arena in his pressers which are can't miss tv in my opinion.   The players and the fans trust Varly too.   He is loved on the Island.   Even by the people who were livid when they let Robin Lehner go.  Lehner only played one year - but - he will never have to buy a beer on the Island - he is legend to the fans.   Last night's game  - I saw Varly play like a star.  He was not the sole reason the team won.  A team that is last in the NHL in the penalty kill - even worse than the Ducks - killed 2 straight mid 3rd period penalties against a tough power play team in NSH.  But based on this start - I am starting Varly on Tuesday at home vs Les Ragitants.  

The thing about Soroki - is his penchant for stoning a team for long periods of time and then letting in a softie at a most un-opportune time.  ( see Stastny, Paul   Game 6 in Round 1 in OT last year as a key example)

Now since East Coast people tend to ignore teams out of their local area to a great deal - let's find another comparable goalie out West - I was always upset when people wanted to bury Connor Hellebuyck after his 2022 season.  I think Winnipeg was DNQ in the playoffs that year.  But hasn't he bounced back?  I say YES.

Sometimes - you don't know if a goalie is playing hurt, has off ice problems that he brings on the ice, etc.  I would venture Goalies are like baseball pitchers.  Some years - you can't lose - others you get unlucky more often than before. 

With the Islanders - either one of these goalies is capable of stealing a playoff series.  Not 2 series but 1.  The team is not good enough and would not make the playoffs if the teams around it actually won a game or two from time to time, but the Flyers are cratering and that opens up a door that is easier to accomplish (3rd in Metro) than a wild card spot IMHO.

Although its a little busy I like to look at the entire Eastern Conference from time to time.  The teams competing for the final 3rd place and WC2 are really far removed from the top 4 teams by 20-25 points.  This doesnt mean a team streaking to qualify cant knock a top tier seed off in the first round, in fact in hockey it happens quite often.  

Remarkably, the Wings could claim the WC2 spot, even if temporarily, by a win vs Buffalo in the afternoon.  They really need a Regulation Win as they trail in that tiebreaker.

The record of the remaining six opponents would appear easier than the last ten opponents, which included the top teams in the conference.

They have to tighten up the mistakes that result in goals against, regardless of the opponent.

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Last ten opponents - winning pct avg .578, avg 12 games over .500

Next six opponents - winning pct avg .524, avg 6 games over .500

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