New York Islanders News

Varlamov has not started a game since December 20th due in part to dealing with an undisclosed injury but will return to the crease on Tuesday against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche. Varlamov has been serviceable in limited action against his former team, posting a 3.07 GAA and .918 SV% in four games (2-2-0). That said, he has been average between the pipes lately, posting a .897 SV% in his last four outings (1-1-1). The Islanders are +163 road underdogs on Tuesday.

Matt Martin will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Engvall to return to the lineup after not playing in the last contest for the Islanders. Engvall is expected to play on the second line with Kyle Palmieri and a red-hot Brock Nelson. Engvall, however, has been ineffective offensively lately, scoring zero points in his last 10 games after scoring 11 (4G / 7A) in his previous 18.

Martin will make his first appearance since November 15th as Casey Cizikas will miss Friday's game due to an illness. Martin has one goal and one assist in 14 games this season.

Cizikas was a late scratch for Friday's game with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. The Islanders' fourth-line centre has five goals and five assists in 34 games this season. Matt Martin will draw into the lineup in his place.

After undergoing offseason shoulder surgery and prolonged contract negotiations, Bear signed a two-year, $4.125 million contract with the Washington Capitals on Thursday but will not make his debut yet. The 25-year-old Bear played 61 games with the Vancouver Canucks last season, scoring 16 points (3G / 13A), recording a +6 plus/minus, and registering 82 blocks while averaging 18:32 time-on-ice. Bear should help solidify the blueline for a Capitals team that already ranks top-10 in the league defensively, allowing only 2.75 goals per game.

Gauthier has missed two of the last three games but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals. The 26-year-old is off to the most productive start of his five-year career, with two goals, five points, 19 SOG and. four PIMs in 15 games.

Varlamov entered Wednesday's 7-0 blowout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in relief of Ilya Sorokin in the third period, allowing one goal on seven shots (.857 SV%). However, he was absent from practice on Thursday, dealing with an undisclosed injury, and is considered day-to-day, expected to miss Friday's contest against the Washington Capitals. The Islanders recalled Ken Appleby from Bridgeport (AHL), who will likely serve as the backup to Sorokin if Varlamov is unable to suit up on Friday.

With Semyon Varlamov battling an undisclosed injury, Lane Lambert and the Islanders coaching staff have an easy decision turning back to Sorokin between the pipes, despite his porous performance in their previous outings. On Wednesday, Sorokin allowed six goals on 25 shots (.760 SV%) in an eventual 7-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Islanders, -147 home favourites, are 1-1-1 against the Capitals this season, but Friday will mark Sorokin's first appearance against them this season.

After undergoing offseason shoulder surgery and prolonged contract negotiations, Bear has signed a two-year, $4.125 million contract with the Washington Capitals. The 25-year-old Bear played 61 games with the Vancouver Canucks last season, scoring 16 points (3G / 13A), recording a +6 plus/minus, and registering 82 blocks while averaging 18:32 time-on-ice. Bear should help solidify the blueline for a Capitals team that already ranks top-10 in the league defensively, allowing only 2.75 goals per game.

Varlamov entered Wednesday's 7-0 blowout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in relief of Ilya Sorokin in the third period, allowing one goal on seven shots (.857 SV%). However, he was absent from practice on Thursday, dealing with an undisclosed injury, and is considered day-to-day ahead of Friday's contest against the Washington Capitals. The Islanders recalled Ken Appleby from Bridgeport (AHL), who will likely serve as the backup to Sorokin if Varlamov is unable to suit up on Friday.

Heineman made his NHL debut in two consecutive games before the Christmas break, recording two hits and a +1 plus/minus. However, he will be loaned to the Laval Rocket of the AHL, where he has four points (1G / 3A) in seven games.

On the front end of a back-to-back, the Kings will turn to David Rittich for the second time in the last four games. In his Kings debut last week, Rittich saved 15 of 16 shots (.938 SV%) against the San Jose Sharks and will look to repeat his performance in a rematch against the Sharks on Wednesday. The Kings have won three of their last four (3-1-0) and are huge -344 home favourites against a Sharks team that has lost five straight (0-5-0), scoring only nine goals in that span.

On the front end of a back-to-back, the Kings will likely turn to David Rittich for the second time in the last four games. In his Kings debut last week, Rittich saved 15 of 16 shots (.938 SV%) against the San Jose Sharks and will look to repeat his performance in a rematch against the Sharks on Wednesday. The Kings have won three of their last four (3-1-0) and are huge -344 home favourites against a Sharks team that has lost five straight (0-5-0), scoring only nine goals in that span.