3 things we learned from Islanders wild Game 1 win over Penguins

May 16, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; The New York Islanders celebrate after defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins in game one of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. New York won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

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New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports) /

3. Big debut for Ilya Sorokin

Semyon Varlamov was expected to get the start for the New York Islanders in Game 1. Though the Isles have used a goaltending tandem this season, the net was Varlamov’s to lose in the playoffs thanks to his success this season and in the 2020 postseason.

Well, Varlamov lost it. But it wasn’t his fault. Varlamov couldn’t play in Game 1 due to an injury, so rookie Ilya Sorokin had to make his postseason debut. That’s definitely not optimal circumstances for a rookie goalie to make their debut on the big stage. Sorokin was a bit jittery early, but was strong once he settled down. He stopped 36 of 39 shots from a dangerous Penguins team.

True, he allowed a stinker to Kasperi Kapanen to tie the game almost immediately after Brock Nelson briefly gave the Isles a late 3-2 lead. But Sorokin was able to bounce back. That’s what you want to see out of young goalies — the ability to forget about what just happened and move on.

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Islanders head coach Barry Trotz has an interesting decision to make ahead of Game 2 if Varlamov is good to go. Does he stick with Sorokin, who won Game 1? Or does he give the net back to Varlamov, who did nothing to lose it? Sorokin just made that decision an extremely tough one for Trotz. I certainly don’t envy him.

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