New York Islanders News

Sorokin will start Game 3 on Thursday vs. Carolina.

After riding Semyon Varlamov in their first two games, the Islanders are in a 0-2 series deficit and will turn to Sorokin between the pipes in game three. Varlamov stole starts from Sorokin down the stretch, eventually stealing the starting goalie position for the beginning of the playoffs. Sorokin, the 2022-23 Vezina runner-up, was solid towards the end of the season, posting a .932 SV% in his final four outings (3-0-1). The Islanders enter action against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday as +139 home underdogs.

Ilya Sorokin
Pageau (lower-body) is on the ice for warmups and is expected to play in Game 2 on Monday.

Pageau exited the Islanders' final game of the season after playing only 2:36 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury and missed Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 31-year-old Pageau had 33 points (11G / 22A), 189 hits, and 82 blocks in 82 games this season.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Varlamov will start Game 2 on Monday vs. Carolina.

After dropping game one of their series against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Islanders will roll with Varlamov between the pipes for a second straight game. Despite losing 3-1, Varlamov played well in game one, saving 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%). That said, the Islanders enter action as sizeable +202 road underdogs on Monday night against the Hurricanes.

Semyon Varlamov
Pageau (lower body) was a full participant in practice and will be a game-time decision for Game 2.

Pageau exited the Islanders' final game of the season after playing only 2:36 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury and missed game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 31-year-old Pageau had 33 points (11G / 22A), 189 hits, and 82 blocks in 82 games this season.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Varlamov is in the starter's crease at the Islanders' morning skate.

After dropping game one of their series against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Islanders will likely roll with Varlamov between the pipes for a second straight game. Despite losing 3-1, Varlamov played well in game one, saving 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%). That said, the Islanders enter action as sizeable +202 road underdogs on Monday night against the Hurricanes.

Semyon Varlamov
Pageau (lower body) has a good chance to return to the Islanders' lineup for Game 2.

Pageau missed game 1 due to a lower-body injury that he suffered in the Islanders' season finale vs. the Penguins. If Pageau is available for game 2, expect him to centre the third line, bumping Kyle MacLean back to the fourth line and taking Simon Holmstrom out of the lineup.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Pageau (lower-body) will be a game-time decision in Game 1 vs. the Hurricanes.

Pageau picked up a lower-body injury in the first period of the Islanders' season finale and is questionable to play in Game 1 in Carolina. If Pageau can't play, expect Kyle MacLean to move up to the third line and for Simon Holmstrom to centre the fourth line.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Dobson (upper-body) is expected to play in Game 1 vs. the Hurricanes.

Dobson did not play the last three games of the season for the Islanders but was at practice on Friday, an encouraging sign that he should be ready for game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 24-year-old Dobson had a tremendous season for the Islanders, scoring 70 points (10G / 60A) in 79 games.

Noah Dobson
Varlamov will start Game 1 vs. the Hurricanes.

Patrick Roy and the Islanders coaching staff heavily favoured Varlamov during their end-of-season push for the playoffs and will turn to him in game one against the Carolina Hurricanes. Varlamov ended the season on a 7-1-0 run, allowing three or fewer goals in each contest and posting a dazzling .935 SV%.

Semyon Varlamov
Varlamov is expected to start Game 1 vs. the Hurricanes.

Patrick Roy and the Islanders coaching staff heavily favoured Varlamov during their end-of-season push for the playoffs and will likely turn to him in game one against the Carolina Hurricanes. Varlamov ended the season on a 7-1-0 run, allowing three or fewer goals in each contest and posting a dazzling .935 SV%.

Semyon Varlamov
Dobson (upper-body) returned to the ice for practice on Friday.

Dobson did not play the last three games of the season for the Islanders but was at practice on Friday, an encouraging sign that he could be ready for game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 24-year-old Dobson had a tremendous season for the Islanders, scoring 70 points (10G / 60A) in 79 games.

Noah Dobson
Sorokin will start on Wednesday vs. Pittsburgh.

The Islanders have rolled with Semyon Varlamov in four of the last five games but will turn to Sorokin between the pipes for their last game of the season on Wednesday night. Sorokin has allowed two or fewer goals in his last three games (2-0-1) and was spectacular in a 2-1 losing effort in overtime to the New York Rangers in his most recent outing, saving 41 of 43 shots (.953 SV%). The Islanders enter action as +117 road underdogs on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ilya Sorokin
Sorokin was the first goalie off the ice at New York's morning skate.

The Islanders have rolled with Semyon Varlamov in four of the last five games but will likely turn to Sorokin between the pipes for their last game of the season on Wednesday night. Sorokin has allowed two or fewer goals in his last three games (2-0-1) and was spectacular in a 2-1 losing effort in overtime to the New York Rangers in his most recent outing, saving 41 of 43 shots (.953 SV%). The Islanders enter action as +117 road underdogs on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ilya Sorokin