New York Islanders News

Drouin (upper-body) will not play on Wednesday but has a chance to return on Friday vs. Washington.

Drouin has not played since the first game of the season, and will miss a 16th consecutive contest on Wednesday. After several forgetful seasons, the 29-year-old Drouin had a career-high 56 points (19G / 37A) in 79 games last season, and could return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals.

Jonathan Drouin
Sorokin will start on Tuesday in Edmonton.

The Islanders will turn to Sorokin in their crease for the fifth time in the last six games. The 29-year-old Sorokin has rebounded nicely after a disappointing 2023-24 campaign, posting a 2.52 GAA and .916 SV% in nine games this season (4-3-2). That said, the Islanders are averaging only 2.6 goals per game, bottom-five in the NHL, and enter Tuesday's contest as +196 road underdogs against the Edmonton Oilers.

Ilya Sorokin
Sorokin is in the starter's crease at New York's morning skate.

The Islanders will likely turn to Sorokin in their crease for the fifth time in the last six games. The 29-year-old Sorokin has rebounded nicely after a disappointing 2023-24 campaign, posting a 2.52 GAA and .916 SV% in nine games this season (4-3-2). That said, the Islanders are averaging only 2.6 goals per game, bottom-five in the NHL, and enter Tuesday's contest as +196 road underdogs against the Edmonton Oilers.

Ilya Sorokin
Martin will draw back into the Islanders' lineup on Thursday in Ottawa.

Hudson Fasching will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Martin to re-enter the lineup after a three-game absence. Matt Martin has only played two games this season, averaging 9:34 time-on-ice, but has been his usual bruting self, racking up five hits.

Matt Martin
Varlamov will start on Thursday in Ottawa.

After serving as the backup to Ilya Sorokin for three straight games (2-1-0), Varlamov will return to the crease for the Islanders on Thursday. The 36-year-old Varlamov, a 17-year veteran, has an excellent 2.65 GAA and .916 SV% over his career but has a far less impressive 3.21 GAA and .876 SV% through five games this season (1-3-1). The Islanders enter the action on Thursday as +120 road underdogs against an Ottawa Senators club that has only scored five combined goals in their previous three games (1-2-0).

Semyon Varlamov
Varlamov is in the starter's crease at New York's morning skate.

After serving as the backup to Ilya Sorokin for three straight games (2-1-0), Varlamov will likely return to the crease for the Islanders on Thursday. The 36-year-old Varlamov, a 17-year veteran, has an excellent 2.65 GAA and .916 SV% over his career but has a far less impressive 3.21 GAA and .876 SV% through five games this season (1-3-1). The Islanders enter the action on Thursday as +120 road underdogs against an Ottawa Senators club that has only scored five combined goals in their previous three games (1-2-0).

Semyon Varlamov
Rittich will start in Minnesota on Tuesday.

After Darcy Kuemper shut out the Predators on Monday, the Kings will turn to Rittich in goal for the tail-end of their back-to-back on Tuesday. Rittich took a disappointing loss his last time out, allowing three goals on 20 shots in a 4-2 defeat against the Sharks on October 29th. The 32-year-old netminder owns an .870 SV% and a 3-3-0 record across six appearances this season. He will have his hands full again on Tuesday with the Kings entering action as +180 underdogs in Minnesota.

David Rittich
George has been recalled from Bridgeport (AHL) and is expected to make his NHL debut on Tuesday.

George was the fourth-round pick, 98th overall, of the Islanders in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old defenseman has two points (1G / 1A) in four games with the Bridgeport Islanders (AHL) this season, his first professional campaign.

Isaiah George
Sorokin will start on Tuesday vs. Pittsburgh.

After seeing sporadic deployment in the first four weeks of the season, splitting time with Semyon Varlamov, Sorokin will make his third consecutive start for the Islanders on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Despite allowing seven combined goals in his last two outings (1-1-0), Sorokin has been tremendous between the pipes this season, posting a stellar 2.29 GAA and .922 SV% in seven contests (3-3-1). The Islanders will face off against a Penguins team riding a season-best two-game winning streak despite allowing 50 goals this season, the most in the Eastern Conference.

Ilya Sorokin