Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) scores a goal against New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Sunrise, Fla. The Panthers won 5-1. Credit: AP/Lynne Sladky
SUNRISE, Fla. — There are still 11 more games on this season-opening road trip for the Islanders to tighten their defensive play.
Because 11 goals allowed over two losses, all with an ill-supported Ilya Sorokin in net as the Islanders wait for Semyon Varlamov to fully recover from his unspecified soreness, is not acceptable.
Sam Bennett’s hat trick powered the Panthers to a 5-1 win on Saturday night at FLA Live Arena, the lone bright spot for the Islanders being Oliver Wahlstrom shaking off a rough training camp and season-opener for the lone goal.