Sorokin leads the NHL with seven shutouts this season and was minutes away from recording an eighth on Thursday, saving 26 of 27 shots (.963 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Dallas Stars. The 30-year-old Sorokin is likely a leading contender for the Vezina Trophy this season and has done everything in his power to keep the Islanders in contention for a playoff spot. In 10 games this month (5-5-0), Sorokin has a 2.55 GAA and .910 SV%.
George will take a seat on Thursday when the Islanders host the Stars. He'll be replaced by Ryan Pulock, who is returning from a lower-body injury.
Pulock has not played the past two games for the Islanders due to a lower-body injury, but is ready to return on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. The 31-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:59 time-on-ice and has 25 points (3G / 22A) in 67 games this season.
Eklund was a first-round pick of the Islanders in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and will be poised to make his professional North American debut with the Bridgeport Islanders (AHL). The 19-year-old forward scored 24 points (6G / 18A) this season in 43 games with Djurgardens IF (SweHL).
Pulock has not played the past two games for the Islanders due to a lower-body injury, but he could be ready to return on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. The 31-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:59 time-on-ice and has 25 points (3G / 22A) in 67 games this season.
DeAngelo exited Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks after only six shifts due to a lower-body injury, and will not play on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Adam Boqvist stepped up during DeAngelo's absence and filled in on the Islanders' second powerplay unit. The 30-year-old DeAngelo has 33 points (5G / 28A) in 72 games this season.
The Islanders are just outside of a Wild Card spot in an ultra-tight race in the Eastern Conference, and will turn to Sorokin on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. The 30-year-old Sorokin was excellent in his last start, saving all 26 shots he faced for his league-leading seventh shutout of the season in a 1-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. That said, he has an under .500 record this month (4-5-0), with a 2.74 GAA and .904 SV%. The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as +113 home underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that has followed up a franchise-best 15-game point streak (14-0-1) by losing four of five games (1-3-1).
George scored one assist in two games with New York earlier this season, but has spent most of the 2025-26 season in the AHL. The 22-year-old defenseman has 17 points (2G / 15A) in 45 games with Bridgeport (AHL) this season.
The Islanders are just outside of a Wild Card spot in an ultra-tight race in the Eastern Conference, and will turn to Sorokin on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. The 30-year-old Sorokin was excellent in his last start, saving all 26 shots he faced for his league-leading seventh shutout of the season in a 1-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. That said, he has an under .500 record this month (4-5-0), with a 2.74 GAA and .904 SV%. The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as +113 home underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that has followed up a franchise-best 15-game point streak (14-0-1) by losing four of five games (1-3-1).
DeAngelo exited Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks after only six shifts due to a lower-body injury. Adam Boqvist stepped up DeAngelo's absence and filled in on the Islanders' second powerplay unit. The 30-year-old DeAngelo has 33 points (5G / 28A) in 72 games this season.
George scored one assist in two games with New York earlier this season, but has spent most of the 2025-26 season in the AHL. The 22-year-old defenseman has 17 points (2G / 15A) in 45 games with Bridgeport (AHL) this season.
Kotai is an undrafted goalie that just completed his third season of collegiate hockey. The 23-year-old had an outstanding 1.99 GAA and .938 SV% in 35 games (20-11-4) with Augustana University this season.
Ilya Sorokin started both ends of a back-to-back this weekend, but the Islanders will turn to Rittich on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 33-year-old Rittich last played 10 days ago when he saved 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames. He has a 3.60 GAA and .883 SV% in four appearances since returning from the Olympic break (2-1-0). The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as -154 home favourites against a Blackhawks team that has lost seven of their last 10 games (3-3-4).
Ilya Sorokin started both ends of a back-to-back this weekend, but the Islanders will turn to Rittich on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 33-year-old Rittich last played 10 days ago when he saved 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames. He has a 3.60 GAA and .883 SV% in four appearances since returning from the Olympic break (2-1-0). The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as -154 home favourites against a Blackhawks team that has lost seven of their last 10 games (3-3-4).
