After an 8-1-0 start to the season, the Devils have been the worst team in the Eastern Conference, plummeting in the standings, going 12-16-2. The Devils hope to end the calendar year on a high note, turning to Allen to tend the twine against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 35-year-old Allen has a solid 2.54 GAA and .910 SV% in 20 games this season (10-8-1). The Devils enter the action as +108 road underdogs against the Blue Jackets.
Ilya Sorokin (lower body) remains out of the lineup, but the Islanders have received adequate goaltending from Rittich in his absence, and he will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Rittich has an excellent 2.30 GAA and .919 SV% in 15 games this season (9-4-2). The 33-year-old Czech goalie has been outstanding lately, posting a 1.65 GAA and .949 SV% in his last five games (3-1-1). The Islanders enter Tuesday's action as -133 road favorites against a Blackhawks team coming off a 7-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ilya Sorokin (lower body) remains out of the lineup, but the Islanders have received adequate goaltending from Rittich in his absence, and he will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Rittich has an excellent 2.30 GAA and .919 SV% in 15 games this season (9-4-2). The 33-year-old Czech goalie has been outstanding lately, posting a 1.65 GAA and .949 SV% in his last five games (3-1-1). The Islanders enter Tuesday's action as -133 road favorites against a Blackhawks team coming off a 7-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Jonathan Aspirot is returning from a multi-week absence due to an upper-body injury, which will leave Kolyachonok as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Kolyachonok was acquired earlier this month off waivers from the Dallas Stars. He is pointless and has a -1 plus/minus in two games with the Bruins.
With Ilya Sorokin (lower body) still on Injured Reserve, the Islanders will turn to Rittich in back-to-back games. The 33-year-old Rittich was excellent in yesterday's 2-0 win over the New York Rangers, saving all 27 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season. He has a solid 2.25 GAA and .919 SV% in 14 games (9-3-2).
Allen turned aside 22 of 24 shots in the Devils' loss to the Sabres last Sunday. He may have taken the loss, but Allen has now stopped 88 of 92 shots (.957 SV%) in his last three outings. He'll look to stay hot on Saturday against the Capitals, where New Jersey are -119 home favourites. Allen is 6-3-0 with a 2.49 GAA and .906 SV% on home-ice this year.
With Ilya Sorokin (lower body) still on Injured Reserve, the Islanders will likely turn to Rittich in back-to-back games. The 33-year-old Rittich was excellent in yesterday's 2-0 win over the New York Rangers, saving all 27 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season. He has a solid 2.25 GAA and .919 SV% in 14 games (9-3-2).
Rittich stopped 31 of 32 shots in the Islanders' 2-1 win over the Devils on Tuesday. Rittich has played very well in his last three starts, going 2-0-1 while stopping 92 of the 97 shots (.948 SV%) that he's faced. Tonight he'll face the Rangers on home-ice, where he's gone 6-1-1 with a 2.08 GAA, .923 SV% and one shutout this season.
Chisholm will slot in for Rasmus Sandin, who was a surprise scratch with an upper-body injury. Chisholm will skate with Trevor van Riemsdyk on Washington's third pair.
Victor Soderstrom will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Kolyachonok to make his debut with the Bruins. Kolyachonok was claimed by the Bruins on waivers from the Dallas Stars last week. The 24-year-old played in 11 games with Dallas, scoring three points (1G / 2A), but with regulars returning to the lineup, Kolyachonok found himself out of the lineup and ultimately on waivers.
With Ilya Sorkin sidelined, tending to a nagging injury, Rittich will tend the twine for the Islanders on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. Rittich has been solid in a supporting role this season, posting a 2.54 GAA and .908 SV% in 12 games (7-3-2), and has elevated his play lately. The 33-year-old Czech goalie has a stellar 2.05 GAA and .926 SV% in his last seven games (4-1-2).
Lammikko played in four straight games, recording two assists, but will be replaced by Jack Hughes, who will play for the first time since mid-November.
Gritsyuk has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury but will play Sunday vs. Buffalo. Gritsyuk, who has 10 points (5G / 5A) in his last 17 games, will be one of three key forwards returning to the Devils' lineup on Sunday, with both Jack Hughes and Timo Meier also returning.
Meier missed the last five games due to personal reasons, but will play Sunday vs. Buffalo. Meier, who has nine points (6G / 3A) in his last 10 games, will be one of three key forwards returning to the Devils' lineup on Sunday, with both Jack Hughes and Arseny Gritsyuk also returning.
Hughes returned to the ice on Sunday morning and told reporters after the optional morning skate that he expects to play Sunday vs. Buffalo. Hughes has been out since November 12th after suffering a freak hand injury in a dinner incident. He rejoins the lineup with 20 points (10G / 10A) in 17 games this season.
