DILEMMA: Islanders Playoff Hopes Hinge on Ilya Sorokin as Patrick Roy Must Decide—Who STARTS?

0:00It's the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. Freight rail does more than move goods. It drives America's economy. Every dollar invested generates another $2.50 in economic activity, spurring growth from farms to factories. And here's the best part. Freight railroads fund their own infrastructure, saving taxpayers billions while powering the economy forward, from reducing highway congestion to delivering goods safely and efficiently. Freight rail keeps America moving. Learn more at AAR.org slash America's engine. We've been the trusted experts since 1960 because nobody knows tires better than we do. And with over 90 tire brands, we have an abundance of options in stock for your vehicle. Buy and drive today at discounttire.com. Let's get you taking care of. The New York Islanders have two critical games coming up this weekend.

1:01And now they face a difficult decision that could make or break their playoff hopes. We'll talk about that next. You're Lockdown Islanders, your daily podcast on the New York Islanders. Part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. We have got a lot to discuss on today's show. We'll talk about a tough decision for Patrick Waw with two critical games coming up back to back this weekend. We'll talk about the Islanders need to respond after their disappointing play in Ottawa. And some of the players that need to talk about it. We'll talk about it. We'll talk about the Islanders need to respond after their disappointing play in Ottawa. And some of the players that need to help step up for this team to get back on track. Let's get started with the decision.

2:02Every day or snow, we just talked about this yesterday. Elias Soroken historically has not been a goalie that you want to overuse. He wears down. And we saw it happen two years ago when the Islanders made the playoffs. But Soroken was used so much down the stretch that by the time the team got to the playoffs, he was exhausted and did not play until game three or four. We saw it a couple of years when there were injuries to Varlamov and Soroken had to play 12, 13, 14 games in a row and ended up hitting the wall. Eventually he needed back surgery, whether that was related to the high amount of use he got. We don't know, but ultimately when Elias Soroken plays too frequently, he does tend to play less effectively. You now have two games coming up this weekend.

3:06Elias Soroken just played the last two games Tuesday and Thursday, one against Toronto, one against Ottawa. Now you have games coming up against Montreal and against Columbus. I don't have to tell you that right now, Montreal is a point ahead of the Islanders. Montreal has a game in hand. Columbus is tied with the Islanders in points. Columbus has a game in hand. These are playoffs games for all intents and purposes. These are games that you really need to win. If you want to be in the playoffs, you have to win. And the old cliche in sports, and it's a cliche for a reason, is that if you want to win, your best players have to be your best players. Well, Elias Soroken is, in my opinion, the Islanders best player. Maybe some people would say Matthew Schaefer, maybe one or two people would vote Beau Hervat or Matthew Barsalva to me.

4:12Soroken is the best player on this team right now. I don't think Schaefer passes him in a couple of years, but as of now. And even if you think he's second or third, he's a critical part of this team. Again, you need these points. I think the Islanders need three out of a possible four points this weekend. But do you start Elias Soroken in both games? Here are the options. You could start Riddick in game one Saturday in Montreal. But if you lose that game, then Sunday becomes an absolute must win. If you win that game, you're playing not quite with house money, but you're right where you want to be. You put Soroken in there's no controversy. You could play Soroken. And if he loses, you almost have to come back with Soroken again, because then you're completely desperate.

5:12It is a difficult decision. And, you know, this weekend with the two teams that the Islanders are playing, being so close to them in the standings, one point separation, one even in points. You need to win in regulation. Winning in regulation is a big difference in these two games in particular than winning it over time. You're playing against Toronto who cares if Toronto gets a point. They're not going to the playoffs. They're not in the race. You're playing against St. Louis or any team from the Western Conference. You don't care if they get a point. That doesn't affect the Islanders playoff hopes in any meaningful way. But these games are must win games. And again, getting to the playoffs, but having your number one goalie in this case, Ilya Soroken. Too tired to play well is kind of a self-defeating thing other than the fact that the owners will get a minimum of two home games over the course of, you know, two home playoff games.

6:21That's always a plus, right? If you're the owners of the Islanders, but if the team is not going to be competitive because Soroken and their best player is not going to be ready, that's a big problem. And look, you look at the numbers. You look at the difference. The goals against average difference is 0.16. Soroken has a 2.50. Ridic a 2.66. The safe percentage, however, is a major difference. Soroken a 9.13. Ridic an 8.99. And Ridic, let's face it, he got off to a really good start this year. But I would say since the calendar flipped to 2026 in January, he's been less effective than he was earlier in the season. Now he did have a good game in his last start. But ultimately, part of the question is, how much do you trust David Ridic in a big spot?

7:23Is the three weeks off for the Olympic break enough to ride Ilya Soroken a little bit longer and a little bit more down the stretch because he had that big break. Late in the season, or do you know your goalie and say, you know what? Historically, Ilya Soroken does tend to wear down. And we don't want to overuse him and then get into the playoffs and not have him at his best or not have him available. It is a difficult decision for Patrick Wa to make. I think you have to start Ilya Soroken on Saturday against Montréal. And then maybe you do have to play him in both games this weekend. And that would open things up for Tuesday against the Black Hawks that the Islanders would be able to play Ridic in that game.

8:32And then have Soroken back for Thursday's game against the Dallas stars. That's what I would do because again against Chicago. You win an overtime. You don't care. It's a Western conference team. They're not in the playoffs. It's a lesser opponent top to bottom. That's no disrespect. The Black Hawks have made a lot of progress this season. But if I'm going to lose a game out of these three games, the three games being Montréal, Columbus, and Chicago, the game I care the least about losing is the Black Hawks. So to me, I would push it right now and have Ridic start on Tuesday, go with Soroken for both of these games. And then when you throw things open because you have another back to back coming up on Monday, the 30th and Tuesday, the 31st of March.

9:38So I think you go. Soroken, Soroken, Ridic against Chicago, Soroken against Dallas, Soroken against Florida, and then it's Pittsburgh Buffalo back to back. One of those games, unless the Islanders are completely desperate, has to be David Ridics. You don't want to overuse Soroken. And it's a fine line. But right now, because of the desperation, the Islanders are in, I think they have to go with Soroken for both of these games. Knowing that Tuesday, they have a potential break for Dave for Soroken that David Ridic can come in and hopefully get the job done. But we'll see how it all plays out Patrick while with some difficult decisions to make as the Islanders wrap up this three game Eastern Canada road trip in Montreal on Saturday. We have got a lot more to get to on today's show.

10:38We're going to talk about leadership and some of the players that need to respond to the Islanders poor performance against Ottawa. We'll talk about that and more next on today's Lockdown Islanders podcast. Today's episode is brought to you by your friends at Fandall College basketball is nonstop big games tight spreads momentum swings every single night from early tip off to late night West Coast shootouts. There's always action on the board. Now Fandall is giving you a way to turn that energy into even bigger potential wins with a college basketball parlay profit boost. You can build any college hoops parlay you want rivalry games right matchups whatever fits my read. You can mix spreads totals and player props to match how you see the slate playing out. Then you can apply the profit boost and instantly bump up the potential pay out. So with the tournament started go safe go bold ride with the team you've been following all season into your parlay your style now with more upside behind it.

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12:49That's CO not game time dot com. One of the reasons that Matthew Darsh cited for adding Braden Shen at the trade deadline was a he wanted to reward this team for exceeding expectations this year. He wanted to give them a vote of confidence in B you heard a lot of talk about the leadership of Braden Shen and you heard talk that this team now has three former captains. The current captain you've got Bo Horvat who was captain in Vancouver for several years and Braden Shen a long time captain in St. Louis and yet against Ottawa when the game was on the line and when Brady Kachup took a cheap shot at Matthew Schaefer along the boards.

13:57None of these players indeed no player on the islanders roster responded later in the game when a player on the senators was digging for the puck after the whistle giving extra hits to the pads and to the legs of Ilia Sirokin no response not by Lee not by Shen. Not by Horvat not by Scott Mayfield at Empellic Ryan Pollock. The veterans on this team and there are many I mean this is the fourth oldest roster in the NHL right now. Andre Pollock older guy experience supposed to add grit Carson Susie size and grit Kyle McLean supposed to be a four checker and a physical player.

15:06He's a female Heinemann always hitting. None of these guys stepped up and defended Matthew Schaefer or came to the defense of Ilia Sirokin. Let's face it this team needs to be you can talk all you want about how much this team likes each other how happy they are among island how much the there is togetherness on this team it's great to hear I hope it's true I believe the players believe it. But part of hockey is sticking up for your teammates even in 2026 and the islanders this year have not done enough of it. At times we've seen you know Matthew bars all slash a player in the legs to defend Matthew Schaefer we saw Anders Lee and Scott Mayfield at times respond when Matthew Schaefer was attacked.

16:13But too many times we have not seen it and keep in mind that yes you run the risk of giving up a power play. But if you're smart about it each player should get five minutes if you play your cards right a and B I'm going to take this a step further. This is not just about fights or getting in someone's face or threatening someone yeah that's part of it you stand up for your teammates that's what a close hockey team does that's what a winning hockey team does. And you heard for example Brady Kachuk of Ottawa say you know he was ready to run through a wall in the game on Thursday against the islanders after watching the second fight that Braden Shen was involved in that Kachuk was not involved in.

17:17How many islanders play like they're willing to run through a wall for their teammates it's not just about fighting it's not just about sticking up for your teammates leadership is that but it's also making sure your team is ready to play. It's making sure you put in a 60 minute effort that when the game is tied one one entering the third period and then you go up two to one your team understands the urgency of the moment and rises to the occasion last night in Ottawa the islanders did the opposite. And so when I hear yeah there are three captains on this team and I go up and down the list of you know experienced players on this team guys who are older and have been through the wars.

18:19Bohr that is 30 Andrews Lee 35 Braden Shen 34 Andre Palat 34 JG Pazzo 33 Anthony Duclair 30 Casey Cezicus 35. This is not a young team Ryan Pollock and Adam Pellock are 31 Scott Mayfield 33 Carson Suzy 31 Tony DeAngelo is 30. This is not a young team these guys know what it takes to be a cohesive winning hockey team they have to do it. And you know to me part of the blame does go to the coach Patrick law but more than anything on a roster filled with veterans like this one is they have to know better. And the leaders in this locker room whether it's Andrews Lee or whether it's Braden Shen or whether it's whoever the veteran leaders on this team should be the ones who are the first ones to stand up and make sure that their teammates are held accountable.

19:36And if you're playing like crap in the third period of a huge game like this and you end up getting out shot 11 to 1 somebody in that locker room somebody on that bench has to step up speak up motivate this team. And if they're not willing or able to step up and answer the bell then this team needs a change in personnel a change in leadership. You're not going to win all the games the islander said 14 games coming into last night's game laughter 13 games and I did not expect them to go like 10 oh and one in those 11 12 games 10 one of one whatever it is. I knew they were going to lose some games and it's disappointing but I can handle the occasional loss.

20:36But when it's a big big game like that game was to see the team when you have a one one tie entering a period and you take a two to one lead early in the period and then you just fall apart and at the end of the game there were two teams on the ice in the last five minutes of this game. One of them clearly was trying to get two points by winning in regulation that was Ottawa the other one was holding on to try to guarantee themselves a point and get this game to overtime where yes the islanders are 10 and 0 in games that were decided and overtime I get it. But one team was going all into win and one team was holding on for dear life and holding back and guess which team won hockey. This team needs to rise to the occasion more the way this roster is built the way the moves that were made before and after the trade deadline adding veterans like like Shen and Palat and Susie.

21:42This team is now more built to win now even though they're not good enough to win big time right now. But urgency and rising to the occasion even if you lose should be non-negotiable you can't have a period like that this weekend. Leaders are not perfect they make mistakes things happen I get it this weekend with games against Montreal and Columbus will have us see how this leadership in this locker room whether it's the coach or the players how do they respond to a terrible performance especially in the third period in a must win game. Do you bounce back do you answer do you have heart we're going to find out this weekend from the New York Islanders and I sincerely hope that the answer is yes.

22:42Freight rail does more than move goods it drives America's economy every dollar invested generates another two dollars and fifty cents in economic activity spurring growth from farms to factories and here's the best part freight railroads fund their own infrastructure saving taxpayers billions while powering the economy forward from reducing highway congestion to delivering goods safely and efficiently freight rail keeps America moving learn more at AAR dot org slash America's engine. This is the perfect time to check out the every day or club you'll get every episodes of locked on islanders and access to a group chat on discord with me and other listeners of this show so tap the link in the show notes or go to locked on islanders dot supercast dot com for more information. If you have a question or comment maybe a topic you'd like us to discuss on a future episode email us at locked on islanders at gmail dot com believe your first name and where you from we're happy to mention you on the show when we discuss whatever's on your mind.

23:48You can follow the show on X at locked on aisles you can follow me Gil Martin on X and ice wars and YR vs NYI will keep you up to date on all things islanders all your long and I am live tweeting during nearly every islanders home and road game so join me for a little instant insight and analysis and it's great to talk islanders hockey with you game time for any time every day or we will have one minute videos going live after both. Of this weekend's games Saturday and Sunday and we're back on Sunday or on Monday rather so Sunday night at midnight Monday morning at midnight with our latest episode so make sure you join us then we'll have our key takeaways from these two critical games have a great weekend everybody stay safe and of course let's go islanders. Freight rail does more than move goods it drives America's economy every dollar invested generates another $2.50 in economic activity spurring growth from farms to factories and here's the best part freight railroads fund their own infrastructure saving taxpayers billions while powering the economy forward

25:00from reducing highway congestion to delivering goods safely and efficiently freight rail keeps America moving learn more at AAR dot org slash America's engine. Snoring gasping during sleep feeling fatigued wake up to Zeppbound to Zepatide the first and only FDA approved prescription medicine for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea OSA and adults with obesity. Zeppbound is an injectable prescription medicine that may help adults with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea OSA and obesity to improve their OSA. Zeppbound should be used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity Zeppbound is approved as a 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 or 15 milligram injection. Zeppbound contains tersepatide and should not be used with other tersepatide containing products or any GLP1 receptor agonist medicines. It is not known if Zeppbound is safe and effective for use in children do not share needles or pens or reuse needles don't take Zeppbound if allergic to it or if you or someone in your family had medillary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.

26:00Tell your doctor if you get a lump or swelling in your neck stop Zeppbound and call your doctor if you have severe stomach pain or a serious allergic reaction. Severe side effects may include inflamed pancreas or gall bladder problems. Tell your doctor if you experience vision changes, depression or suicidal thoughts before schedule procedures with anesthesia. If you're nursing pregnant plan to be or taking birth control pills. Taking Zeppbound with a sulfonal urea or insulin may cause a little blood sugar. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea and vomiting which can cause dehydration and worsen kidney problems. Talk to your doctor, call 1-800-545-5979 or visit zeppbound.lily.com. Zeppbound and its delivery device base in QuickPin are registered trademarks owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and company. It's subsidiaries or affiliates. What's up everybody this is Ross Jackson one of the hosts of the Lockdown Podcast Network and if you haven't heard yet we started a club and we would love for you to join. It's called the Everydayer Club and one of the things that you get as a member is an ad-free version of the podcast that you're listening to right now. It works with whatever podcast app you already use, same episodes every day, just no ad.

27:02There's also a member's only group chat for fans of your team plus a lot more. You can check it out by tapping the Everydayer Club link in the show notes.