The Islanders’ current six-game winning streak doesn’t quite feel like past runs when Sorokin has been the only thing between them and disaster on a nightly basis. The defense in front of him has been strong, particularly a dramatically improved penalty kill.

Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin had a career first on Monday. He was named the NHL’s first star of the week after going 3-0-0 with a 1.33 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage in wins over the Avalanche, Flyers and Lightning. He had been named the second- and third-star of the week previously in his career but never No. 1.

Simon Holmstrom scored twice and added an assist, and Ilya Sorokin made 30 saves to lead the New York Islanders to a 5-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night.

The National Hockey League has named Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin the First Star of the Week for the period ending February 2.

NEW YORK — New York Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin, Buffalo Sabres centre Tage Thompson and Ottawa Senators defenceman Jake Sanderson are the NHL's three stars of the week.

Once left for dead, the New York Islanders are now one of the hottest teams in the entire NHL. Recently, the Islanders reeled off seven wins in a row to vault themselves back into the playoff race in a tight Eastern Conference.