Rittich has only played once this season, but he was instrumental in an impressive 4-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers, saving 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%). In the five games that Rittich has not played, the Islanders are allowing 4.0 goals per game. The 33-year-old Rittich returns to the crease on Thursday against a red-hot Detroit Red Wings team on the tail end of a back-to-back, hoping to build off his strong start to the 2025-26 season.
Allen stopped 21 of 22 shots in the Devils win over the Panthers on Thursday. It was another strong performance for Allen, who will make his third straight start tonight vs. the Oilers. Allen comes in with a. 1.20 GAA and .957 SV% through his first two games of the season.
Trevor van Riemsdyk will return to the press box to serve as a healthy scratch on Friday against the Minnesota Wild, allowing Chisholm to re-enter the lineup. The 25-year-old Chisholm played 14:29 time-on-ice in his only outing this season and recorded one assist.
Hellebuyck, the two-time reigning Vezina Trophy winner, has played only two games this season, both with contrasting results. The 32-year-old netminder allowed five goals on 37 shots (.865 SV%) in a 5-4 loss to the Dallas Stars, which he followed up by saving 30 of 32 (.938 SV%) in his next outing, a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Hellebuyck and the Jets will look for more consistency on Thursday, entering their contest against the Philadelphia Flyers as -134 road favourites.
Hellebuyck, the two-time reigning Vezina Trophy winner, has played only two games this season, both with contrasting results. The 32-year-old netminder allowed five goals on 37 shots (.865 SV%) in a 5-4 loss to the Dallas Stars, which he followed up by saving 30 of 32 (.938 SV%) in his next outing, a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Hellebuyck and the Jets will look for more consistency on Thursday, entering their contest against the Philadelphia Flyers as -134 road favourites.
Allen did not finish Monday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets due to cramping and was replaced by Jacob Markstrom in the eventual 3-2 win. However, Markstrom suffered a lower-body injury in the process and will be out of the lineup week-to-week. As such, Allen will share the crease with recently recalled Nico Daws for the foreseeable future. The 35-year-old Allen was solid before exiting Monday's game, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) through 40 minutes. The Devils enter Thursday's contest as -151 home favorites against a Florida Panthers team that played last night and lost 4-1 to the Detroit Red Wings.
Allen did not finish Monday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets due to cramping and was replaced by Jacob Markstrom in the eventual 3-2 win. However, Markstrom suffered a lower-body injury in the process and will be out of the lineup week-to-week. As such, Allen will share the crease with recently recalled Nico Daws for the foreseeable future. The 35-year-old Allen was solid before exiting Monday's game, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) through 40 minutes. The Devils enter Thursday's contest as -151 home favorites against a Florida Panthers team that played last night and lost 4-1 to the Detroit Red Wings.
The winless Islanders (0-3-0) will hope for a better result on Thursday, turning to Rittich for his Islanders debut season in a meeting with the Edmonton Oilers. The 33-year-old Rittich was serviceable in two seasons as the Los Angeles Kings' backup goalie, posting a 2.55 GAA and .902 SV% in 58 combined games (29-20-5). Rittich has played reasonably well in his career against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, posting a 2.68 GAA and .906 SV% in 14 appearances (5-5-1).
Trevor van Riemsdyk was a healthy scratch on Sunday, but he will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, replacing Declan Chisholm. The 25-year-old Chisholm played 14:29 time-on-ice in Sunday's 1-0 win over the New York Rangers and recorded one assist.
Allen did not finish Monday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets and was replaced by Jacob Markstrom. The 35-year-old Allen was putting together a solid effort before leaving the game, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) in an eventual 3-2 win. No update was provided on Allen, but he is not expected to miss time.
New Jersey's defensive game has struggled early in the 2025-26 season, allowing nine goals through two games (1-1-0), and will hope for better results with Allen between the pipes for the first time this season. The 35-year-old Allen had a sizable role as the Devils' backup last season, posting a 2.66 GAA, .906 SV%, and four shutouts in 31 appearances (13-16-1). The Devils enter Monday's contest as -119 road favorites against a Columbus Blue Jackets team that had an offensive outburst on Saturday, defeating the Minnesota Wild 7-4 for their first win of the season.
New Jersey's defensive game has struggled early in the 2025-26 season, allowing nine goals through two games (1-1-0), and will hope for better results with Allen between the pipes for the first time this season. The 35-year-old Allen had a sizable role as the Devils' backup last season, posting a 2.66 GAA, .906 SV%, and four shutouts in 31 appearances (13-16-1). The Devils enter Monday's contest as -119 road favorites against a Columbus Blue Jackets team that had an offensive outburst on Saturday, defeating the Minnesota Wild 7-4 for their first win of the season.
Prolonged contract negotiations that didn't warrant a new contract for Evangelista until last week kept him out of the lineup in Nashville's season-opener on Thursday, but he will suit up on Saturday against the Utah Mammoth. The 23-year-old Evangelista had 32 points (10G / 22A) in 68 games last season.
Coming off another stellar season, winning his third Vezina trophy in the last six seasons, posting an outstanding 2.00 GAA, .925SV%, and eight shutouts in 63 outings (47-12-3), Hellebuyck will tend the twine in Winnipeg's season opener against the Dallas Stars. Hellebuyck and the Jets were eliminated by the Stars in the second round of the playoffs and will hope to enact some revenge with a victory on Thursday. Winnipeg enters the contest as slight -101 home underdogs against Dallas.
