Barry Trotz had a simple reply when asked about his reaction to Ilya Sorokin’s incredible stick save on Artemi Panarin in the Islanders’ 2-1 win over the Rangers on Thursday night.
“Holy f--ck,” Trotz said with a laugh, mouthing the expletive at the end to also reflect the speechlessness that many experienced when they say Sorokin sprawl out and reach his stick across the crease to stop a Panarin shot that was ticketed for a wide open net.
Instead, Sorokin’s stop kept the game scoreless, and he made 28 others to lead the Islanders to victory. But that first period stop on Panarin was all the talk after the game.
“It might have been one of the best, if not the best, saves I’ve seen in a long time,” Trotz said. “And Ive been around a long time.
“It doesn’t surprise me. He’s capable of it. He’s so athletic. Nothing surprises me with him.”
The goaltending matchup was the big conversation heading into the game, with Igor Shesterkin in net for the Rangers, a potential dark horse candidate for the Hart Trophy this season. But it was Sorokin who shined the brightest, with one of the top saves of the year in the NHL.
“We know that Igor Shesterkin has been getting a lot of hype in the Hart conversation and whatnot,” Mathew Barzal said. “We knew before the game that both goalies were going to be out of their minds…both guys were outstanding.”
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