New York Islanders News

With Semyon Varlamov sidelined, the Islanders will rely on Sorokin even more than before as he will start for the fifth time in the last six games. Sorokin entered Tuesday's contest in relief of an injured Varlamov, allowing four goals on 27 shots (.852 SV%) in an eventual 5-4 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Sorokin had a light night in his last meeting against the Arizona Coyotes, saving all 14 shots he faced for a shutout victory. On Thursday, the Islanders are slight -108 road favourites against the Coyotes, who are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers.

Boqvist has missed the last 12 games due to a shoulder injury, last playing on December 5th. Boqvist had three points (0G / 3A), averaging 17:05 time-on-ice through 13 games this season and appears to have a return projected imminently.

Varlamov left the game late in the first period due to an undisclosed injury with the score being 1-1. He was replaced by Ilya Sorokin. We should expect to receive an update on Varlamov's injury and a possible timeline for his return following the completion of Tuesday's game.

Pierre Engvall's return to the lineup on Tuesday will result in Martin being a healthy scratch. In his last two games, Martin averaged over 10 minutes per night, recorded a five-minute fighting major, fired four shots on goal, and four hits.

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.