Ilya Sorokin playing his best hockey as Islanders charge up standings

TAMPA, Fla. — Ilya Sorokin is not usually one to give detailed breakdowns of his own play, and Thursday night was no exception. 

“I feel at one level,” Sorokin said, asked if anything had shifted for him recently. “Nothing can change in my mind. Of course when you win, it’s positive emotions, but how our coach says, just until 12 a.m. and done. Tomorrow [is a] new day, ready for the next day.” 

That mentality is part of what’s gotten Sorokin this far in his career.

But whatever he feels, his level has, without a doubt, risen over the last month. 

In fact, Sorokin’s .938 save percentage in January marked his best over one month since March 2022.

His numbers also dramatically improved from December, when he had an abysmal 3.45 goals allowed average and .873 save percentage over 14 starts, to a dominant 1.75 GAA in nine games since the calendar flipped.