Barzal did not participate at the Islanders' morning skate on Tuesday, but could be an option in the evening against the Detroit Red Wings. The Islanders, already without Bo Horvat (lower body), can ill-afford to also be without Barzal. The 28-year-old Barzal has 25 points (9G / 16A) in 32 games this season.
The Islanders have won six of their last seven (6-1-0) and can largely credit their success to strong play from Sorokin between the pipes. The 30-year-old Sorokin has an outstanding 2.00 GAA and .942 SV% in his last five games (5-0-0). He boasts a 2.50 GAA and .912 SV% in 22 games this season (12-8-2). The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as +116 road underdogs against a Detroit Red Wings team that is 5-1-2 in their last eight games.
Horvat suffered a scary lower-body injury in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks, struggled to leave the ice, but has seemingly avoided the worst and will be reevaluated on a week-to-week basis. The 30-year-old Horvat was pacing for a career-best season with 31 points (19G / 12A) through 32 games before his injury.
Horvat suffered a scary lower-body injury in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks, struggled to leave the ice, but has seemingly avoided the worst and is only out day to day. The 30-year-old Horvat is pacing for a career-best season with 31 points (19G / 12A) through 32 games.
Drouin has not played in over a week due to a lower-body injury, but has practiced the past several days and should return to the lineup on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 30-year-old Drouin has 15 points (3G / 12A) through 26 games in his first season with the Islanders. He has only one assist in his last nine games and was recently demoted to the team's second powerplay unit before his injury.
Horvat left Thursday's game against the Ducks after appearing to injure his leg in an awkward fall and was unable to return. Patrick Roy claimed he was day-to-day after the game.
The Islanders have won four of their last five (4-1-0), with Ilya Sorokin tending the twine in each of the victories, but they will turn to Rittich on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 33-year-old Rittich allowed three goals on 29 shots (.897 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers. Rittich has a 2.65 GAA and .901 SV% in 10 games this season (6-3-1). The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as -124 home favorites against a Ducks team on a three-game winning streak.
Drouin has not played in over a week due to a lower-body injury and will remain sidelined on Thursday, but could return to the lineup on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 30-year-old Drouin has 15 points (3G / 12A) through 26 games in his first season with the Islanders. He has only one assist in his last nine games and was recently demoted to the team's second powerplay unit before his injury.
The Islanders have won four of their last five (4-1-0), with Ilya Sorokin tending the twine in each of the victories, but they will turn to Rittich on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 33-year-old Rittich allowed three goals on 29 shots (.897 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers. Rittich has a 2.65 GAA and .901 SV% in 10 games this season (6-3-1). The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as -124 home favorites against a Ducks team on a three-game winning streak.
The Islanders have quietly been one of the better teams in the NHL over the last month, going 10-5-1, largely credited to the improved play of Ilya Sorokin. The 30-year-old Sorokin is coming off a 32-save performance for his third shutout of the season in a 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He boasts a solid 2.47 GAA and .912 SV% in 20 games this season (10-8-2). The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as +122 road underdogs against a Vegas Golden Knights team on a four-game winning streak.
With Jean-Gabriel Pageau (upper body) returning to the lineup, Tsyplakkov will head to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old Tsyplakov was impressive in his first NHL season in 2024-25, scoring 39 points (10G / 35A) in 77 games, but has been largely unnoticeable in 2025-26, scoring just one point (1G / 0A) in 20 games.
Pageau has not played in nearly three weeks due to a lingering upper-body injury, but he will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 33-year-old Pageau has a decent 12 points (6G / 6A), primarily in a third-line role, in 22 games with the Islanders, but has been held off the scoresheet in five straight.
The Islanders have quietly been one of the better teams in the NHL over the last month, going 10-5-1, largely credited to the improved play of Ilya Sorokin. The 30-year-old Sorokin is coming off a 32-save performance for his third shutout of the season in a 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He boasts a solid 2.47 GAA and .912 SV% in 20 games this season (10-8-2). The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as +122 road underdogs against a Vegas Golden Knights team on a four-game winning streak.
Drouin was a late scratch from Thursday's game against the Colorado Avalanche due to a lower-body injury. The 30-year-old Drouin has 15 points (3G / 12A) through 26 games in his first season with the Islanders. Anthony Duclair saw an uptick in deployment with Drouin sidelined, taking his spot on the top powerplay unit.
