Ilya Sorokin returned from a two-week absence due to an injury in the Islanders' most recent game, recording a shutout in a 9-0 win over the New Jersey Devils, but the team will turn to Rittich on Thursday against the Nashville Predators. The 33-year-old Rittich has been excellent over the last two months, posting a solid 2.25 GAA and .916 SV% in 13 games (8-3-2). The Islanders enter the action on Thursday as slight +108 road underdogs against a Predators team coming off a 6-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
