Palat has missed the last three games and will miss at least the next two. Palat did not travel for the Lightning’s back-to-back which starts in Montreal on Saturday and finishes in Ottawa on Sunday.
Clutterbuck has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury, but will replace Tom Kuhnhackl in the Islanders lineup on Thursday. Clutterbuck has just one assist, 14 PIMS and nine shots on goal in nine games this season.
Varlamov allowed two goals on 27 shots in Colorado’s 3-2 loss in Minnesota on Saturday. Varlamov has just one win in his last five starts (1-2-2) despite posting an unreal 1.79 GAA and .948 SV%. Varlamov heads to Calgary at 2-1-1 with a 1.48 GAA and .957 SV% on the road this season.
Clutterbuck will miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury, so Tom Kuhnhackl will remain on the Islanders fourth line.
Palat will not play Tuesday vs. the Devils or Thursday vs. the Predators, but could be back Saturday in Montreal. With Palat out, the Lightning shuffled their lines at Monday’s practice, reuniting J.T. Miller-Steven Stamkos-Nikita Kucherov.
Varlamov allowed just one goal on 24 shots but lost 1-0 to the Lightning on Wednesday. Regardless of the loss, Varlamov has been exceptional for the Avalanche so far this season, posting a 1.56 GAA and .953 SV% in his first seven games. On of those wins came against the Wild, who he’ll face again tonight—he stopped 20 of 21 shots in a win over Minnesota on opening night.
Varlamov allowed just one goal on 24 shots but lost 1-0 to the Lightning on Wednesday. Regardless of the loss, Varlamov has been exceptional for the Avalanche so far this season, posting a 1.56 GAA and .953 SV% in his first seven games. On of those wins came against the Wild, who he’ll face again tonight—he stopped 20 of 21 shots in a win over Minnesota on opening night.
Varlamov stopped 37 of 38 shots in Colorado’s win in Philadelphia on Monday. Varlamov snapped a brief two-game losing skid and is now 4-0-2 with a 1.64 GAA and .953 SV% in his six starts this season. As good as he has been, Varlamov draws a tough matchup with the Lightning in town—they’re second in the NHL in goal-scoring (3.86 GF/PG) through seven games.
Varlamov allowed two goals on 43 shots in Colorado’s loss in New York last Tuesday. Philipp Grubauer started the last two games, so they’ll come back to Varlamov tonight in Philadelphia. In his first two starts against the Flyers, Varlamov stopped 35 of 37 shots in a 5-2 win in Colorado on October 6th.
Varlamov allowed three goals on 41 shots in Colorado’s 3-2 overtime loss to Calgary on Saturday. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Varlamov, who now has a 1.75 GAA and .946 SV% through four starts. The veteran netminder has been great so far this season and can be trusted against a Rangers team that is averaging just 2.40 goals for per game so far.
Varlamov allowed one goal on 31 shots in Colorado’s win in Buffalo on Thursday. Varlamov has won each of his first three starts, stopping 85 of the 89 shots (.955 SV%) that he has faced. Varlamov has a tough matchup with the Flames in town, but catches a break with David Rittich getting the call for Calgary.
Cizikas was questionable for Saturday’s game but his move to IR means the will be out against the Predators. Cizikas’ move to IR is retroactive to Monday, so it allowed them to sign Stephen Gionta without sending anyone down. He could end up missing jut one game.
Cizikas is day-to-day with a lower-body injury that he suffered during Monday’s game vs. the Sharks and missed Friday’s practice. If Cizikas can’t play, the Islanders may sign Stephen Gionta to a contract and have him draw into the lineup.
Varlamov allowed two goals on 37 shots in Colorado’s win over the Flyers on Saturday. Varlamov has won his first two starts, stopping 55 of 58 shots (.948 SV%) against the Wild and Flyers. He draws a healthy matchup tonight in Buffalo—the Sabres are averaging just 2.33 goals for through three games so far.
Mayfield was a healthy scratch in the first two games of the season but will draw in for Luca Sbisa this afternoon. Mayfield is a physical defenseman who is coming off of a career-high 12 points (2G / 10A) in 47 games last year.
Varlamov enjoyed a strong 2018 season, winning 24 of his 51 games with a 2.68 GAA, .920 SV% and two shutouts. He will be pushed harder for starts this year with Philipp Grubauer in town, but that could help push the Russian netminder. Varlamov won both of his starts while only allowing two goals on 66 shots (.970 SV%) against the Wild last year.
