New York Islanders News

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).

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.

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.

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).

Drouin missed the Islanders' previous game because of an illness, but he will draw back into the lineup on Monday against the Washington Capitals. The 30-year-old Drouin has 20 points (3G / 17A) in 48 games this season, but has just one assist in his last 12.

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.

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.

Cizikas played last night, but will exit the lineup on Thursday because of an illness. The 34-year-old Cizikas is averaging 11:34 time-on-ice and has 14 points (6G / 8A) in 53 games this season. Maxim Shabanov will draw into the lineup to replace Cizikas.

Casey Cizikas (illness) will not play on Thursday, allowing Shabanov to re-enter the lineup against the Rangers. The 25-year-old Shabanov has 15 points (4G / 11A) in 38 games this season.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, the Islanders will turn to Sorokin on Thursday against the New York Rangers. Sorokin was terrific in his previous outing, recording his league-leading sixth shutout of the season with a 21-save performance in a 4-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. The 30-year-old goalie has a 2.25 GAA and .926 SV% in his last 10 games (6-4-0). The Islanders enter the action on Thursday against a slumping Rangers team with only two wins in their last 11 games (2-8-1).

Pulock has not played in a week, but will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the New York Rangers. The 31-year-old Pulock is averaging 21:09 time-on-ice and has 21 points (2G / 19A) in 50 games this season.

Boqvist will take a seat on Wednesday, and could see his ice time take a significant hit in the near-future given the arrival of Carson Soucy and return of Ryan Pulock. Boqvist has zero goals and one assist in 20 games this season.

Rittich has been reliable in a supporting role for most of the season, but suddenly finds himself battling some adversity. The 33-year-old Czech goalie has allowed three or more goals in four of his last five games (1-3-1), posting an ugly 3.51 GAA and .832 SV%. He will look to return to the form he showcased in his first 16 games of the season (10-4-2), posting a 2.39 GAA and .918 SV%. The Islanders enter Wednesday's contest as -125 home favorites against a New York Rangers team that is coming off a 4-3 win over the Boston Bruins.