Patrick Roy’s return to Montreal took an unexpected turn as he pulled Ilya Sorokin at 6-3, sending a clear message during a still-reachable game.
Patrick Roy’s return to Montreal didn’t unfold as expected. Seeing the former number 33 boiling behind the Islanders’ bench brought back memories for Canadiens fans in the stands.
Roy made a strong decision late in the game with the score at 6-3 for the Montreal Canadiens. He chose to pull his starting goaltender Ilya Sorokin despite the still-manageable deficit.
The look the head coach gave his goaltender said a lot about his frustration. Sorokin, a third-round pick in 2014, had to leave the ice after allowing six goals against a sharp Montreal offensive execution.
Cole Caufield was one of the main drivers of that offensive surge. The 5-foot-8 sniper now has 43 goals this season in his NHL career.
Juraj Slafkovsky also had a major offensive impact in this convincing win. Martin St-Louis’ group is progressing at an impressive pace, while New York is still searching for answers in its defensive zone.
Montreal holds a 4-3-1 record over its last games, while the Islanders continue to struggle with consistency. At home, the Canadiens rely on a quick transition game that effectively neutralizes opponents.
Patrick Roy sends a clear message to his players
Pulling a goaltender of this caliber in a 6-3 game remains a significant move to shake up a locker room. Roy does not accept any lapses, especially in such an important game for the playoffs.
Ilya Sorokin left the game without any offensive support from his team during that difficult stretch.
The Islanders will need to look for solutions to solidify their defensive structure before their next matchup. If Roy continues to see his team play in a disjointed way, adjustments could be numerous in New York.
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Patrick Roy lost his cool with Ilya Sorokin as Canadiens crush Islanders 7-3 at Bell Centre
Did Patrick Roy make the right call pulling Ilya Sorokin at 6-3?