The New York Islanders have gotten off to a 3-5-2 start to begin the 2024-25 season, and fans are already panicking. The team has been shutout four times, blown multi-goal leads, and resembles the struggles of recent seasons to a T. While there are a lot of negatives, evident in the team’s record, there have also been some positives.
Sorokin’s 2023-24 Was a Fluke
Ilya Sorokin finished the 2023-24 season with a 25-19-12 record, 3.01 goals against average (GAA), a .909 save percentage (SV%), and 1.4 goals saved above expected (GSAx), according to MoneyPuck. In five games to start the 2024-25 season, he is 2-2-1 with a 1.80 GAA, .932 SV%, and 4.5 GSAx.
Related: Islanders Prospect Report: Eiserman, Nelson, Finley & More
Sorokin has shown vast improvement, moving quickly side-to-side and making multiple highlight-reel saves each game. Unfortunately, the Islanders have let him down, scoring only one goal in his three losses, leaving his record unreflective of his performance. While the team must step up for the Islanders to climb back into the playoff race, Sorokin’s early-season form should ease any concerns about his health or abilities.
Kyle Palmieri’s 2023-24 Is Replicable
Kyle Palmieri notched 30 goals in 82 games last season, marking the second time he has hit the total in his career. This included 19 goals in 37 games under head coach Patrick Roy. Starting the 2024-25 season strong, Palmieri has already scored four goals in 10 games, leading the Islanders with seven points.
Palmieri has shined in Roy’s system, bringing relentless forechecking, a physical net-front presence, and an ability to finish rebounds. He has been a key contributor at both even strength and on the power play, providing consistent production on a team unfamiliar with that term. Although the season is young, Palmieri’s early performance is certainly promising.
Depth Is Absent
The Islanders’ depth, particularly within the forward group, has been a massive concern to start the season. In the first 10 games, the bottom-six forwards have contributed just two even-strength goals—both from Anders Lee. Neither Oliver Wahlstrom nor Kyle MacLean have been on the ice for an Islanders goal, and all six bottom-six regulars have been on the ice for more goals conceded than scored. The numbers speak for themselves, and the two forward lines have to get it together…
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