NHL Hockey Player News

On the back end of a back-to-back, the Islanders will likely turn to Varlamov after a 3-1 victory against the Edmonton Oilers last night courtesy of a strong performance from Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin has been active between the pipes for the Islanders this season, starting three of the last seven games. That said, his 2.73 GAA and .919 SV% are inflated by a strong start, as he has allowed three or more goals in each of his last eight contests (4-3-1), posting a .897 SV%. The Islanders are slight +102 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team that has only scored two combined goals in their last two games (1-1-0).

New Jersey was dealt a huge blow Tuesday as it was announced Dougie Hamilton is expected to be out until the playoffs after being placed on long-term Injured Reserve. The Devils will now be without their top defensemen until at least the playoffs who had five goals, 11 assists, 61 SOG, 20 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus in 20 games this season prior to getting hurt. The move opens up $9 million in cap space for the Devils.

Gauthier left the Islanders' game Tuesday after just 4:33 TOI due to an upper-body injury and will be out Wednesday vs. Washington but is staying with the team on their road trip. The 26-year-old right winger is on pace to set career highs in almost all statistical categories as he started the season with two goals, three assists, 19 SOG, four PIMs and a -3 plus/minus in 14 games prior to his injury.

Wahlstrom has missed the Islanders' previous eight games due to illness but is set to draw back into the lineup Wednesday as he takes the spot of Julien Gauthier (upper body). The 23-year-old right-winger had two goals, three assists, 23 SOG, four PIMs and a -5 plus/minus in 17 games played prior to missing the last two and a half weeks.

Talbot will return to the Kings' starters crease after backing up last game as he takes on Seattle Wednesday. The 36-year-old signed a one-year, $1 million contract in the offseason which has payed off fruitfully for the Kings as Talbot has been one of the leagues best goaltenders with his 13-5-2 record, .926 SV% and 2.02 GAA. He will host the Seattle Kraken Wednesday, who have lost two straight games and are struggling to score being 28th in the NHL in goals per game (2.7).

Clang did not appear during his very brief stint with the Ducks and will head back to San Diego as Alex Stallock replaces him as John Gibson's (personal) placeholder for the time being. The 21-year-old Clang returns to the Gulls, where he struggled early in the season with his 2-7-2 record, .882 SV% and 3.76 GAA.

John Gibson (personal) remains away from the team due to the birth of his child so Alex Stalock has been recalled from San Diego (AHL) to be his placeholder in the meantime. The 36-year-old has struggled in the minors this season, with his 1-4-1 record, 3.78 GAA and .893 SV%.

Zuccarello has not played the last two games for Minnesota due to an upper-body injury and has been placed on the injured reserve, meaning he will be out of the lineup until after the Christmas break. Before his injury, Zuccarello had only one point (0G / 1A) in his last five games despite averaging nearly 18 minutes of ice time per game, receiving top-line and top powerplay deployment.

Matt Martin has not played since November 15th and will remain on the injured reserve with an upper-body injury. In 14 games this season, Martin had two points (1G / 1A) and 31 hits while averaging 8:27 time-on-ice., the lowest total of his career since averaging 7:59 in the 2017-18 season.