Adam Boqvist will draw back into the Islanders' lineup on Tuesday, sending Mayfield to the press box as a healthy scratch. In five games with the Islanders, the 24-year-old Boqvist is averaging 16:02 time-on-ice and has one goal.
The Islanders have lost three straight (0-3-0) and will turn to Sorokin between the pipes on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. After a stellar nine-game stretch (8-1-0), posting a 1.38 GAA and .952 SV%, Sorokin has followed that up with a forgettable three-game losing skid (0-3-0) where he has a 4.45 GAA and .852 SV%. The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as slight +100 home underdogs against a Rangers team coming off a 5-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Martin has not played since January 16 and has been placed on Injured Reserve with a lower-body injury, likely so the Islanders can accommodate a roster spot for Noah Dobson. The 35-year-old Martin is averaging 7:47 time-on-ice, recording one point (0G / 1A) and 68 hits in 24 games this season.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, the Sharks will turn to Vanecek between the pipes on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 29-year-old Vanecek had a forgetful final outing before the break for the 4Nations Face Off, allowing eight goals on 34 shots (.765 SV%) in an 8-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. He has an ugly 4.01 GAA and .878 SV% in 16 appearances this season (3-9-2). The Sharks enter Monday's contest as significant +393 road underdogs against a Jets squad amid a nine-game winning streak.
Heineman suffered an upper-body injury after being involved in a traffic accident in mid January and missed 14 consecutive games leading up to the break for the 4-Nations Face Off. The 23-year-old has been impressive in his rookie season, averaging 11:09 time-on-ice and scoring 17 points (10G / 7A) in 41 games.
Mayfield missed the final four games before the 4Nations break but has been skating since last week and told reporters he's ready to play Sunday. Head coach Patrick Roy did not confirm Mayfield will play, but it seems likely that he'll be officially cleared before Sunday.
The Islanders have won eight of their last nine (8-1-0) and will turn to Sorokin between the pipes on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Sorokin was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 33 of 34 shots (.971 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. The 29-year-old netminder has an outstanding .952 SV% and two shutouts in his last nine games (8-1-0).
Vanecek has not played an NHL game since suffering an upper-body injury on December 14th but will return to the crease on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. In a brief conditioning stint with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL), Vanecek posted a 2.00 GAA and .917 SV% in one game (1-0-0). He has a 3.84 GAA and .885 SV% in 14 appearances with the Sharks this season (3-8-1). The Sharks enter Thursday's contest as +182 home underdogs against a Canucks squad coming off an impressive 3-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche.
Vanecek has not played an NHL game since suffering an upper-body injury on December 14th but will likely return to the crease on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. In a brief conditioning stint with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL), Vanecek posted a 2.00 GAA and .917 SV% in one game (1-0-0). He has a 3.84 GAA and .885 SV% in 14 appearances with the Sharks this season (3-8-1). The Sharks enter Thursday's contest as +182 home underdogs against a Canucks squad coming off an impressive 3-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche.
