New York Islanders News

The Islanders' defensive woes continued with David Rittich tending the twine in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Islanders. The team will flip the script on the tail end of their back-to-back, turning to Sorokin between the pipes on Friday against the Washington Capitals. That said, the Islanders haven't fared much better with Sorokin. The 30-year-old Sorokin is off to a forgetful start, posting an ugly 3.75 GAA and .868 SV% in seven games (2-4-1). The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as +187 road underdogs against a 6-4-0 Capitals team.

After losing their first three games to start the season (0-3-0), the Islanders have points in five straight (4-0-1). Despite their recent surge in play, the Islanders are still hoping for another level out of Sorokin between the pipes. The 30-year-old netminder is off to a lackluster start to the season, posting an unspectacular 3.70 GAA and .875 SV% in six outings (2-3-1). He returns to the crease on Tuesday against a Boston Bruins team on the tail end of a back-to-back.

Warren was drafted in the sixth round (166 overall) by the Minnesota Wild in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old defenseman has spent the previous three seasons in the AHL and has five points (2G / 3A) in four games with the Bridgeport Islanders in 2025-26.

With Marc Gatcomb clearing waivers and being sent to Bridgeport (AHL) , New York has recalled Marshall Warren in a corresponding move. The 24-year-old defensemen has yet to appear in the NHL after joining the Islanders from the University of Michigan (NCAA) in 2023-24. He's earned his promotion due to his hot start to begin 2025-26, with two goals and five points in four games with Bridgeport.

Engvall had offseason hip surgery and just underwent ankle surgery, likely sidelining him for the remainder of the regular season. The 29-year-old Engvall is the third year of a seven-year contract worth $21 million ($3.0M AAV). He had 15 points (8G / 7A) in 62 games with the Islanders last season.

Romanov did not play in the Islanders' previous game, but he was back at practice on Monday and appears to be nearing a return. That said, he will miss at least one more game, starting with Tuesday's contest against the San Jose Sharks. The 25-year-old Romanov has 12 blocks and 15 hits through four games this season.

Romanov did not play in the Islanders' previous game, but he was back at practice on Monday. The 25-year-old Romanov has 12 blocks and 15 hits through four games this season. He will be a game-time decision when the Islanders return to action on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks.

The Islanders are off to a 2-3-0 start to the 2025-26 season and have relied heavily on Ilya Sorokin, but he has not been able to consistently deliver when called upon. The 30-year-old Sorokin has an alarming 4.13 GAA and .861 SV% in four games this season (1-3-0). Sorokin and the Islanders hope to rebound on Tuesday when they face-off against the San Jose Sharks, the only team in the NHL yet to record a victory (0-3-2).

Romanov did not play in the Islanders' previous game, but he was back at practice on Monday. The 25-year-old Romanov has 12 blocks and 15 hits through four games this season. The Islanders return to action on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks.

Romanov missed Friday's practice and will not play in Saturday's game vs. the Senators. With Romanov day-to-day, Adam Boqvist will make his season debut on Saturday.

Logan Mailloux will be a healthy scratch on Saturday against the Dallas Stars, allowing Kessel to draw into the lineup for his season debut. The 29-year-old Kessel played 29 games with the Blues in 2024-25 and scored three points (0G / 3A).

Sorokin gave up four goals on 25 shots in the Islanders loss to the Jets on Monday. He was giving Thursday night off and David Rittich turned in an excellent performance, but they will go back to Sorokin this afternoon in Ottawa. Sorokin has allowed four goals in all three of his starts this season, going 0-3-0 with a 4.18 GAA and .854 SV%.

The Utah Mammoth are 1-1-0 to start the 2025-26 season and will start Vanecek between the pipes for his first start of the season on Monday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 29-year-old Vanecek is in his first season with Utah after splitting the 2024-25 campaign with the San Jose Sharks and Florida Panthers, posting a 3.62 GAA and .884 SV% in 25 combined appearances (5-14-4). The Mammoth enter Monday's contest as -166 road favorites against the Blackhawks.

The Utah Mammoth are 1-1-0 to start the 2025-26 season and will likely start Vanecek between the pipes for his first start of the season on Monday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 29-year-old Vanecek is in his first season with Utah after splitting the 2024-25 campaign with the San Jose Sharks and Florida Panthers, posting a 3.62 GAA and .884 SV% in 25 combined appearances (5-14-4). The Mammoth enter Monday's contest as -166 road favorites against the Blackhawks.

Ritchie was acquired before last season's trade deadline as part of a deal that sent Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche. The 20-year-old Ritchie has not yet made his regular-season debut with the Islanders and will have to wait a while longer as he is set to begin his 2025-26 campaign in the AHL after returning from a lower-body injury.