Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

New York Islanders News

Horvat (Olympics) will return to New York's lineup on Thursday in Montreal.

Horvat scored two goals in six games while representing Canada during their Silver Medal performance at the Olympics. The 30-year-old will hope to continue his career-best point production when he returns to New York's lineup on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. He has 40 points (24G / 16A) in 44 games this season.

Bo Horvat
New York has acquired Matt Luff from St. Louis for Julien Gauthier.

Luff is an undrafted forward who has yet to make his impact at the NHL level. The 28-year-old has only 28 points (16G / 12A) in 111 career NHL games, but has been impressive in the AHL this season, scoring 39 points (14G / 25A) in 42 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds.

Matt Luff
Sorokin will start in New Jersey on Thursday.

Sorokin has been a cornerstone of the Islanders' reliability in recent weeks but has misstepped slightly lately, allowing four goals in his last two games (1-1-0). That said, the 30-year-old goalie still boasts a sensational 2.30 GAA and .927 SV% in 17 games (12-5-0) since the beginning of December. The Islanders enter the action on Thursday as slight -101 road underdogs against a New Jersey Devils team that has struggled offensively, being outscored 7-1 in their last two games (0-2-0).

Ilya Sorokin
Ritchie (lower-body) will return in New Jersey on Thursday.

Ritchie has not played in two weeks because of a lower-body injury, but he will draw back into the lineup on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 21-year-old Ritchie has 15 points (7G / 8A) in 40 games this season. Anthony Duclair will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Ritchie's return.

Calum Ritchie
Duclair is expected to be a healthy scratch vs. New Jersey on Thursday.

Islanders' Head Coach Patrick Roy was unimpressed with Duclair in their previous game, limiting him to only 3:04 time-on-ice, so it's no surprise that he will be a healthy scratch on Thursday. The 30-year-old Duclair has 26 points (12G / 14A) in 54 games this season. Calum Ritchie will return from a lower-body injury and replace Duclair.

Anthony Duclair
Sorokin is in the starter's crease at New York's morning skate on Thursday.

Sorokin has been a cornerstone of the Islanders' reliability in recent weeks but has misstepped slightly lately, allowing four goals in his last two games (1-1-0). That said, the 30-year-old goalie still boasts a sensational 2.30 GAA and .927 SV% in 17 games (12-5-0) since the beginning of December. The Islanders enter the action on Thursday as slight -101 road underdogs against a New Jersey Devils team that has struggled offensively, being outscored 7-1 in their last two games (0-2-0).

Ilya Sorokin
Rittich will start in Washington on Monday.

Rittich snapped a three-game losing streak (0-2-1) in his previous outing, saving 14 of 16 shots (.875 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the New York Rangers. The 33-year-old Czech goalie was tremendous to start his first season with the Islanders, posting a terrific 2.26 GAA and .919 SV% through 14 games (9-3-2), but has struggled to maintain that excellence. He has a 2.95 GAA and .859 SV% in his last eight games (3-4-1). The Islanders enter Monday's contest as +116 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team on a two-game winning streak.

David Rittich
Rittich is in the starter's crease at New York's morning skate.

Rittich snapped a three-game losing streak (0-2-1) in his previous outing, saving 14 of 16 shots (.875 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the New York Rangers. The 33-year-old Czech goalie was tremendous to start his first season with the Islanders, posting a terrific 2.26 GAA and .919 SV% through 14 games (9-3-2), but has struggled to maintain that excellence. He has a 2.95 GAA and .859 SV% in his last eight games (3-4-1). The Islanders enter Monday's contest as +116 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team on a two-game winning streak.

David Rittich