Islanders Will Go as Far as Sorokin and Varlamov Takes Them in Playoffs

The Islanders will need elite goaltending if they want to pull off a comeback against the Hurricanes

Various elements can determine a team’s success in the NHL. Goaltending is a big piece and has defined the New York Islanders in recent years.

Some could argue that Semyon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin are the best goaltending tandem in the NHL. Both struggled at times in 2023-2024 – but if it wasn’t for the superhuman goaltending in the last stretch of games in the regular season, the Islanders may not have made it this far.

Now that momentum needs to continue in the playoffs, even though down 2-0 in their playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Why the Islanders Need Elite Goaltending

Bad goaltending could of course derail a team like the New Jersey Devils – but not everyone needs it to be elite. However, that’s a different story when it comes to the Islanders.

Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

When we compare them to the Carolina Hurricanes, they are out-matched everywhere.