In the post-game after last night’s 3-2 shootout win over the Flyers, Barry Trotz said he thinks Ilya Sorokin’s confidence continues to grow. It’s hard to disagree, and indeed I thought the same thing while watching the whole affair. The shootout is not a pure lab environment in which to judge NHL goaltending, however you can see Sorokin’s self-assurance with the way he’s approached the past I-don’t-know-how-many shooters in the breakaway contest.
Last night’s groin-splitter save against Sean Couturier’s rather advanced deke was just the latest example. Sorokin’s WWE-light gestures after completing the shootout wins is another sign.