NHL Hockey Player News

The Islanders' defensive woes continued with David Rittich tending the twine in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Islanders. The team will flip the script on the tail end of their back-to-back, turning to Sorokin between the pipes on Friday against the Washington Capitals. That said, the Islanders haven't fared much better with Sorokin. The 30-year-old Sorokin is off to a forgetful start, posting an ugly 3.75 GAA and .868 SV% in seven games (2-4-1). The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as +187 road underdogs against a 6-4-0 Capitals team.

Rittich has seen limited action this season, but when called upon, he has outplayed starting netminder Ilya Sorokin, who is sporting an ugly 3.75 GAA and .868 SV% in seven games (2-4-1). The 33-year-old Rittich has an excellent 2.01 GAA and .940 SV% through two games this season (2-0-0) and could earn himself some extra playing time with another strong performance. That said, the Islanders enter Thursday's contest as +188 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes team off to a 6-3-0 start to the season.

After losing their first three games to start the season (0-3-0), the Islanders have points in five straight (4-0-1). Despite their recent surge in play, the Islanders are still hoping for another level out of Sorokin between the pipes. The 30-year-old netminder is off to a lackluster start to the season, posting an unspectacular 3.70 GAA and .875 SV% in six outings (2-3-1). He returns to the crease on Tuesday against a Boston Bruins team on the tail end of a back-to-back.

Sandin was limited to only 15:01 time-on-ice in an October 21st contest and has not played since. He will miss at least one more game, beginning with Tuesady's contest against the Dallas Stars. The 25-year-old Sandin is averaging 19:24 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) through seven games this season. He is considered day-to-day for the time being despite not travelling with the team.

Strome exited Washington's most recent game in the first period after only 2:34 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. The 28-year-old was absent from practice on Monday and will not be in the lineup on Tuesday when the team visits the Dallas Stars. Strome is off to another hot start this season, with 10 points (2G / 8A) in nine games.

Luchanko was held off the scoresheet in four games with the Flyers this season and will spend the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign with the Guelph Storm in the OHL. The 19-year-old Luchanko was the 19th-overall pick by the Flyers in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

Jarnkrok showed no signs of an injury in Toronto's most recent game but he was absent from practice on Monday with a lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day. The 34-year-old Jarnkrok is averaging 11:15 time-on-ice and has three points (3G / 0A) in eight games this season.

The Penguins have been a pleasant surprise early in the 2025-26 season, off to a 6-2-1 start, led by strong tandem goaltending from Tristan Jarry and Arturs Silovs. The 30-year-old Jarry returns to the crease on Monday against the St. Louis Blues, looking to build on a solid 2.52 GAA and .921 SV% in four games (3-1-0). Pittsburgh enters Monday's contest as slight +107 home underdogs against a St. Louis team that has been outscored 15-9 during a three-game losing skid (0-2-1).

Bjornfot was drafted 22nd-overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old has 15 points (1G / 14A) in 134 career NHL games but has been unable to establish a full-time presence at the NHL level, spending most of the previous five seasons either as a seventh defenseman or playing in the AHL.

Gostisbehere has been out of the lineup since October 19th but was back at practice on Monday, returning to his spot on the team's top powerplay unit. The 32-year-old defenseman was off to a tremendous start before his injury in the 2025-26 season, scoring seven points (1G / 6A) in five games.

Woll has been away from the team for the past four weeks, since the preseason, to tend to personal matters, but has officially rejoined the team. He started in exactly half of Toronto's games last season, posting a 2.73 GAA and .909 SV%, and was likely poised to see similar totals in 2025-26. Maple Leafs' GM Brad Treliving mentioned that Woll will not be ready until after November 1st and could be loaned to the Marlies (AHL) for a conditioning stint.

Leason started his career in the Capitals organization but spent the previous three seasons with the Anaheim Ducks. The 26-year-old forward has 54 points (25G / 29A) in 220 career NHL and returns to the Capitals, providing some organizational depth on a two-way contract.

Ullmark had the night off on Monday, with the recently recalled Hunter Shepard serving as Leevi Merilainen's backup, but he returns to the crease on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 32-year-old Ullmark has had an up-and-down start to the 2025-26 season, posting a 3.11 GAA and .870 SV% in eight games (4-3-1), but has been excellent in his last two games (2-0-0), saving 34 of 36 combined shots (.944 SV%).

Ottawa recalled Hunter Shepard from Belleville (AHL) on Monday to serve as the backup to Merilainen, as the team opts to give Linus Ullmark the night off on the front end of a back-to-back. Merilainen was excellent in limited action last season, posting a 1.99 GGA and .925 SV% in 12 appearances (8-3-1), but struggled immensely in his only outing this season, allowing seven goals on 26 shots (.731 SV%) in a blowout 8-4 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The Senators enter Monday's contest as -167 home favorites against a Boston Bruins team coming off a 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche.

Ottawa's coaching staff emphasized that there is no injury to Linus Ullmark, but he will have the day off on Monday, with the recently recalled Shepard serving as the backup to Leevi Merilainen. Ullmark is scheduled to return to the crease on Tuesday, at which point Shepard will likely return to Belleville (AHL).

Frank was recalled for precautionary reasons on Monday due to the injury of Dylan Strome (lower body), who exited Saturday's game and did not return. The 27-year-old Frank made his NHL debut in 2024-25, playing 24 games with the Capitals and recording 7 points (4G/3A).