The Islanders will make some changes to their forward group on Thursday, with Maxim Tsyplakov and Kyle MacLean drawing into the lineup for Anthony Duclair and Marc Gatcomb. The 26-year-old MacLean is averaging 10:40 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 25 games this season.
Logan Mailloux will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Kessel to re-enter the lineup against the Colorado Avalanche. The 25-year-old Kessel is averaging 11:40 time-on-ice and has two goals in 18 games this season.
Calum Ritchie will return to the New York's lineup on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks, resulting in MacLean being a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old MacLean has three points (1G / 2A) in 25 games this season.
Kyle MacLean will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Ritchie to return from a one-game absence against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 20-year-old Ritchie has eight points (4G / 4A) in 28 games this season.
With Karel Vejmelka (upper body) on Injured Reserve, Vanecek will tend the twine for at least one more game. Vanecek was stellar in his previous outing, saving 25 of 26 shots (.962 SV%) in a 1-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. He has a 2.81 GAA and .882 SV% in 11 games this season (2-8-1). The Mammoth enters Monday's contest as -141 home favorites against a Nashville Predators team that has won three of their last four (3-1-0).
Bear has not played yet this season due to a wrist injury and will get his start in the AHL with the Bridgeport Islanders after clearing waivers. The 28-year-old defenseman spent the entirety of the 2025-26 season in the AHL, scoring 46 points (10G / 36A) in 62 games with the Hershey Bears.
With Karel Vejmelka (upper body) on Injured Reserve, Vanecek will tend the twine for at least one more game. Vanecek was stellar in his previous outing, saving 25 of 26 shots (.962 SV%) in a 1-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. He has a 2.81 GAA and .882 SV% in 11 games this season (2-8-1). The Mammoth enters Monday's contest as -141 home favorites against a Nashville Predators team that has won three of their last four (3-1-0).
With Bo Horvat returning to the Islanders' lineup on Saturday, Duclair will sit vs. the Rangers. Head coach Patrick Roy called it "heartbreaking" when deciding who to take out of the lineup and added that Duclair has "played well." Duclair has not scored in 10 games, picking up just three assists during that stretch.
Sorokin's move to IR is retroactive to December 20th, which means he's eligible to return for their next game. Sorokin will travel to Columbus on Saturday, and could return as soon as Tuesday in Chicago. Look for David Rittich to start both of their games on their Saturday/Sunday back-to-back.
Horvat missed the last five games with a lower-body injury, but will play Saturday vs. the Rangers. Horvat, who will be back on the top line with Jonathan Drouin and Emil Heineman, has 19 goals and 12 assists (31 points) in 32 games this season.
Vanecek will get a surprise start on Tuesday as projected starter Karel Vejmelka was a late scratch due to an upper-body injury. Vanecek was tagged with a fourth consecutive loss in his last start, allowing four goals on 23 shots in a 4-1 loss in Boston on December 16th. The 30-year-old goaltender heads into Tuesday's game with a record of 2-7-1. The Mammoth enter action at +212 on the money line.
Horvat has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on December 11th, but could return on Saturday in the Islanders' first game back after the Holiday Break. Before his injury, the 30-year-old Horvat was having an outstanding offensive season, with 31 points (19G / 12A) in 32 games.
Sorokin has been solid lately, but will miss at least one game due to an undisclosed injury. The 30-year-old Sorokin has a 2.55 GAA and .910 SV% in 24 games this season (12-10-2). The Islanders have recalled Marcus Hogberg from Bridgeport (AHL), but David Rittich will likely see most of the action between the pipes during Sorokin's absence.
Barzal is likely battling a nagging injury, as he was a game-time decision earlier this week as well, despite still drawing into the lineup. The 28-year-old Barzal is riding a five-game point streak, scoring five points (1G / 4A).
Barzal is likely battling a nagging injury, as he was a game-time decision earlier this week as well, despite still drawing into the lineup. The 28-year-old Barzal is riding a five-game point streak, scoring five points (1G / 4A), and hopes he will be able to suit up again on Friday against the Vancouver Canucks.
The Islanders fell to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, with Sorokin allowing three unanswered goals on 21 shots (.857 SV%) in a 3-2 loss. Despite his most recent effort, Sorokin has been solid between the pipes for the Islanders, posting a 2.05 GAA and .930 SV% in his last 14 games (9-5-0). Sorokin and the Islanders will match up against a Vancouver Canucks team that has surprisingly outscored their opposition 5-1 in two games (2-0-0) since trading away their captain, Quinn Hughes.
