Islanders' Ilya Sorokin Emerges as Vezina Trophy Favorite

Goaltender's exceptional season has been key to Islanders' playoff push

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:24pm

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An abstract, energetic painting in neon colors depicting the explosive movements of a hockey goaltender making a save, conveying the raw athleticism and importance of Ilya Sorokin's performance for the Islanders.Ilya Sorokin's spectacular goaltending has been the driving force behind the Islanders' playoff push this season.Elmont Today

New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin is putting together an exceptional season and is a frontrunner for the Vezina Trophy, an award he deserves with his outstanding numbers and importance to the Islanders' success. Sorokin leads the league in several advanced goaltending metrics and has been a driving force behind the Islanders' playoff push despite the team's defensive struggles.

Why it matters

Sorokin's performance this season could make him the second Islanders goaltender to win the Vezina Trophy, following in the footsteps of franchise legend Billy Smith. His ability to elevate the team and cover up defensive lapses has been crucial to the Islanders' playoff aspirations.

The details

Entering Monday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the 30-year-old Sorokin is 28-18-2 this season with a 2.47 goals-against-average and a .914 save percentage, ranking him third in the league in save percentage and eighth in goals-against-average. His advanced stats are even more impressive, as he leads the league with 32.5 goals-saved-above expected and is worth 5.42 wins above replacement, best among goalies.

  • Sorokin's exceptional season has come as the Islanders are in the midst of a furious playoff push in the Eastern Conference.
  • Billy Smith, who has his number retired by the Islanders, is the only goalie in franchise history to win the Vezina Trophy, doing so in the 1981-82 season.

The players

Ilya Sorokin

The 30-year-old goaltender for the New York Islanders who is putting together an exceptional season and is a frontrunner for the Vezina Trophy.

Billy Smith

The only Islanders goalie to ever win the Vezina Trophy, doing so in the 1981-82 season.

Bo Horvat

An Islanders forward who praised Sorokin's performance after a recent game against the Dallas Stars.

Andrei Vasilevskiy

The Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender who is Sorokin's main competition for the Vezina Trophy this season.

Matthew Schaefer

An 18-year-old rookie phenom for the Islanders who has helped revitalize the team's offense this season.

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What they’re saying

“I don't even know what more I can say good about him. He's a phenomenal player, we're so lucky to have him, and he was phenomenal again tonight.”

— Bo Horvat, Islanders forward

What’s next

The Islanders will almost definitely need to make the playoffs for Sorokin to seal the deal with voters for the Vezina Trophy. A late hot-streak by any of the top goalies over the last few weeks of the regular season could also sway voters.

The takeaway

Ilya Sorokin's exceptional performance in goal this season has been a driving force behind the Islanders' playoff push, and he has emerged as the frontrunner for the Vezina Trophy. His ability to elevate the team and cover up defensive lapses has been crucial, and a Vezina win would make him only the second Islanders goalie to receive the honor.