George will take a seat on Thursday when the Islanders host the Stars. He'll be replaced by Ryan Pulock, who is returning from a lower-body injury.

George will take a seat on Thursday when the Islanders host the Stars. He'll be replaced by Ryan Pulock, who is returning from a lower-body injury.

Pulock has not played the past two games for the Islanders due to a lower-body injury, but is ready to return on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. The 31-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:59 time-on-ice and has 25 points (3G / 22A) in 67 games this season.

Eklund was a first-round pick of the Islanders in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and will be poised to make his professional North American debut with the Bridgeport Islanders (AHL). The 19-year-old forward scored 24 points (6G / 18A) this season in 43 games with Djurgardens IF (SweHL).

Vanecek was excellent in relief of Karel Vejmelka on Tuesday, saving all 10 shots he faced, but the game was already out of reach for Utah, losing 5-2 to the Edmonton Oilers. The 30-year-old Vanecek has played well lately, posting an impressive 1.86 GAA and .923 SV% in five appearances (2-1-1) since the beginning of March. The Mammoth enter Thursday's contest as -137 home favourites against Vejmelka's former team, the Washington Capitals, who have only scored four combined goals in their last three games (1-1-1).

Justin Holl will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Kessel to re-enter the lineup. The 25-year-old Kessel is averaging 12:30 time-on-ice and has three points (2G / 1A) in 27 games this season.

Pulock has not played the past two games for the Islanders due to a lower-body injury, but he could be ready to return on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. The 31-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:59 time-on-ice and has 25 points (3G / 22A) in 67 games this season.

DeAngelo exited Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks after only six shifts due to a lower-body injury, and will not play on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Adam Boqvist stepped up during DeAngelo's absence and filled in on the Islanders' second powerplay unit. The 30-year-old DeAngelo has 33 points (5G / 28A) in 72 games this season.

The Islanders are just outside of a Wild Card spot in an ultra-tight race in the Eastern Conference, and will turn to Sorokin on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. The 30-year-old Sorokin was excellent in his last start, saving all 26 shots he faced for his league-leading seventh shutout of the season in a 1-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. That said, he has an under .500 record this month (4-5-0), with a 2.74 GAA and .904 SV%. The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as +113 home underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that has followed up a franchise-best 15-game point streak (14-0-1) by losing four of five games (1-3-1).

George scored one assist in two games with New York earlier this season, but has spent most of the 2025-26 season in the AHL. The 22-year-old defenseman has 17 points (2G / 15A) in 45 games with Bridgeport (AHL) this season.

The Islanders are just outside of a Wild Card spot in an ultra-tight race in the Eastern Conference, and will turn to Sorokin on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. The 30-year-old Sorokin was excellent in his last start, saving all 26 shots he faced for his league-leading seventh shutout of the season in a 1-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. That said, he has an under .500 record this month (4-5-0), with a 2.74 GAA and .904 SV%. The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as +113 home underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that has followed up a franchise-best 15-game point streak (14-0-1) by losing four of five games (1-3-1).

DeAngelo exited Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks after only six shifts due to a lower-body injury. Adam Boqvist stepped up DeAngelo's absence and filled in on the Islanders' second powerplay unit. The 30-year-old DeAngelo has 33 points (5G / 28A) in 72 games this season.

George scored one assist in two games with New York earlier this season, but has spent most of the 2025-26 season in the AHL. The 22-year-old defenseman has 17 points (2G / 15A) in 45 games with Bridgeport (AHL) this season.

Kotai is an undrafted goalie that just completed his third season of collegiate hockey. The 23-year-old had an outstanding 1.99 GAA and .938 SV% in 35 games (20-11-4) with Augustana University this season.





MacLean played in three straight games, but he will come out of the lineup on Saturday with Marc Gatcomb replacing him on the fourth line. MacLean has just seven points (2G / 5A) in 50 games this season.

Sorokin allowed three goals on 26 shots in the Islanders loosen Ottawa on Thursday. The Islanders have a pivotal back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday. Sorokin will start the first game in Montreal, and head coach Patrick Roy did not rule him out from starting tomorrow as well. Sorokin has been might better on the road this season, going 18-8-1 with a 2.30 GAA, .917 SV% and five shutouts.
