New York Islanders News

Rittich has been reliable in a supporting role for most of the season, but suddenly finds himself battling some adversity. The 33-year-old Czech goalie has allowed three or more goals in four of his last five games (1-3-1), posting an ugly 3.51 GAA and .832 SV%. He will look to return to the form he showcased in his first 16 games of the season (10-4-2), posting a 2.39 GAA and .918 SV%. The Islanders enter Wednesday's contest as -125 home favorites against a New York Rangers team that is coming off a 4-3 win over the Boston Bruins.

Ritchie was a surprise scratch on Monday, with the Islanders not announcing his absence prior to warmups, and will remain out of the lineup on Wednesday. The former first-round pick has seven goals and eight assists in 40 games this season.

Pulock has not played in a week, but could return to the lineup as soon as Wednesday against the New York Rangers. The 31-year-old Pulock is averaging 21:09 time-on-ice and has 21 points (2G / 19A) in 50 games this season.

Soucy appeared in 62 games over the last two seasons during his brief tenure with the Rangers, tallying four goals and 11 assists while playing just under 17 minutes a night. Soucy now joins a crowded Islanders blue-line that already includes the likes of Matthew Schaefer, Adam Pelech, Tony DeAngelo, and Ryan Pulock, though Pulock is currently sidelined with an upper-body injury.

With Simon Holmstrom returning from an illness, Shabanov will be the odd-man out of the lineup as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Shabanov has 15 points (4G / 11A) in 38 games in his first NHL season, but has been held off the scoresheet in eight consecutive games.

Holmstrom did not play in New York's previous game because of an illness, but will return to the lineup on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Swedish forward has 24 points (12G / 12A) in 50 games this season.

Palat was rumoured to be on the move on Tuesday after he was a late scratch due to "roster-related" reasons. A one-time 20-goal scorer, Palat's offensive production has seen a steep decline this season, with just four goals and six assists to show for his efforts through 51 games. The Devils reportedly did not retain any salary in the deal, so the Islanders are on the hook for Palat's full $6-million cap-hit through the end of the 2026-27 season.

Palat left the arena shortly before puck drop with many reporters speculating that a trade could be imminent. Luke Glendening will take his spot in the Devils lineup.

George has played the last two games for New York, his only two NHL contests this season, including scoring an assist in yesterday's 4-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. That said, the 21-year-old defenseman will return to Bridgeport (AHL), where he has 10 points (2G / 8A) in 24 games.

It's the second time in less than a calendar year that Soucy was acquired in exchange for a third-round pick, after the Canucks shipped him to the Rangers last March. Soucy appeared in 62 games over the last two seasons during his brief tenure with the Rangers, tallying four goals and 11 assists while playing just under 17 minutes a night. Soucy now joins a crowded Islanders blue-line that already includes the likes of Matthew Schaefer, Adam Pelech, Tony DeAngelo, and Ryan Pulock, though Pulock is currently sidelined with an upper-body injury.

Ritchie was a surprise scratch on Monday, with the Islanders not announcing his absence prior to warmups. The former first-round pick has seven goals and eight assists in 40 games this season.

Holmstrom will be unavailable on Monday after being labeled as a game-time decision due to an illness. Maxim Tsyplakov will draw into the lineup in his place.

With trade rumors looming, the Rangers will hold Soucy out of the lineup on Monday for precautionary reasons. The 31-year-old defenseman is averaging 17:13 time-on-ice and has eight points (3G / 5A) in 46 games this season.

Sorokin allowed three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken, and hopes to return to his winning ways when he tends the twine on Monday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Before the loss, the 30-year-old Sorokin was sporting a stellar 2.12 GAA and .929 SV% in his previous 22 games (14-7-1). The Islanders enter Monday's contest as +105 road underdogs against a Flyers team that is coming off an impressive 7-3 win over the league-leading Colorado Avalanche.

Gatcomb has not played in a week, but will re-enter the lineup on Monday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 26-year-old Gatcomb is averaging 10:12 time-on-ice and has two points (1G / 1A) in 22 games this season.