Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

New York Islanders News

Varlamov will start on Thursday in Florida.

Varlamov will take over the Islanders' crease for the second time in three games as he takes on the Panthers in Florida on Thursday. The 35-year-old backup netminder has done admirably when called upon this season, with his 8-7-4 record, 2.86 GAA and .910 SV%. He will head to Florida to take on the recently struggling Panthers, who have surprisingly lost five of their last six games but are still second in the NHL in shots per game (33.4).

Semyon Varlamov
Sorokin will start on Thursday in Detroit.

Sorokin will lead the Islanders on Thursday in a matchup against the Detroit Red Wings, two teams battling for a Wild Card position. The Islanders have lost five straight, including four with Sorokin between the pipes. In his last outing, Sorokin allowed three goals on 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Islanders enter action as slight -112 road underdogs.

Ilya Sorokin
Rittich will start on Wednesday vs. Minnesota.

With Los Angeles on the second half of their back-to-back and Cam Talbot taking the crease in Tuesday's 6-2 win over Chicago, David Rittich will man the crease on Wednesday vs. Minnesota. The 31-year-old backup started the year in the AHL but has impressed and surprised many with his 10-5-3 record, .916 SV% and 2.29 GAA in 20 games played this season. He'll host the Minnesota Wild who are on a bit of a heater having won four of their last five games while ranking 18th in the NHL in goals per game on the season (3.07).

David Rittich