New York Islanders News

Ilya Sorokin was in the starters' crease for Wednesday's morning skate ahead of Game 2.

Sorokin took the hard-luck loss in Game 1 after stopping 35 of 37 shots (.946 SV%) in a tight 2-1 loss to Carolina but will get a shot at redemption for Game 2 on Wednesday. The 27-year-old will look to build off his 4-2-0 career playoff record, where he has a .925 SV% and 2.69 GAA. He will take on the Carolina Hurricanes, who held true to their form in Game 1 after finishing the regular season third in the NHL in shots per game (34.8).

Ilya Sorokin
Sorokin will start Game 1 in Carolina.

Sorokin had an outstanding season, going 31-22-7 while ranking first in shutouts (6), third in SV% (.924 SV%) and sixth in GAA (2.34). In seven career playoff appearances (five starts), Sorokin has gone 4-1-0 with a 2.79 GAA and .922 SV%. He went 1-3-0 with a. 2.79 GAA and .911 SV% in four games against the Hurricanes during the regular season.

Ilya Sorokin
Sorokin is expected to start Game 1 in Carolina.

Sorokin had an outstanding season, going 31-22-7 while ranking first in shutouts (6), third in SV% (.924 SV%) and sixth in GAA (2.34). In seven career playoff appearances (five starts), Sorokin has gone 4-1-0 with a 2.79 GAA and .922 SV%. He went 1-3-0 with a. 2.79 GAA and .911 SV% in four games against the Hurricanes during the regular season.

Ilya Sorokin
Mathew Barzal is expected to return to the Islanders' lineup for Game 1 vs. Carolina (lower-body).

Barzal has been out since February 18th due to a lower-body injury and skated with the Islanders for the first time since his injury. The 25-year-old is expected to make his long-awaited return for Game 1 vs. Carolina after putting up 14 goals, 51 points, 139 SOG, 22 PIMs and a +5 plus/minus through 58 games played prior to his injury.

Mathew Barzal
Mathew Barzal skated with the Islanders for the first time since February 18th (lower-body).

Barzal has been out since February 18th due to a lower-body injury and skated with the Islanders for the first time since his injury. The 25-year-old will hope to return at some point for the Islanders' opening series against Carolina after putting up 14 goals, 51 points, 139 SOG, 22 PIMs and a +5 plus/minus through 58 games played prior to his injury.

Mathew Barzal
Rittich will start Thursday in Colorado.

Rittich allowed four goals on 24 shots (.833 SV%) for his fourth-straight loss as he was beaten by the Carolina Hurricanes his last time out. The 30-year-old Jets' backup has had a very mediocre season in Winnipeg, with his 9-7-1 record, 2.65 GAA and .902 SV%. He takes on the Colorado Avalanche, who just had a five-game winning streak snapped with a. 2-1 loss to Edmonton in their previous game.

David Rittich
Ilya Sorokin will start Wednesday vs. Montreal.

Sorokin allowed three goals on 23 shots (.870 SV%) to snap a two-game winning streak as he was downed by the Washington Capitals in his previous start. The 27-year-old net minder has been one of the league's best yet again in 2022-23, with his first career 30-win season (30-22-7), .925 SV% and 2.35 GAA. He will take on the struggle Montreal Canadiens, who have lost five of their last six games and are 26th in the NHL in goals per game (2.76).

Ilya Sorokin
Sorokin is in the starter's crease at the Islanders morning skate.

Sorokin allowed three goals on 23 shots (.870 SV%) to snap a two-game winning streak as he was downed by the Washington Capitals in his previous start. The 27-year-old net minder has been one of the league's best yet again in 2022-23, with his first career 30-win season (30-22-7), .925 SV% and 2.35 GAA. He will take on the struggle Montreal Canadiens, who have lost five of their last six games and are 26th in the NHL in goals per game (2.76).

Ilya Sorokin
Sorokin will start Monday in Washington.

Sorokin was perfect in his previous start, stopping 27 of 27 shots for his league-leading sixth shutout of the season as he blanked the Philadelphia Flyers' last game. The 27-year-old has been sensational this season, with his 30-21-7 record, 2.33 GAA and .925 SV%. He takes on the Washington Capitals, who have lost six straight and are 20th in the NHL in goals per game (3.06).

Ilya Sorokin
McWard will make his NHL debut on Thursday.

McWard had nine goals, 12 assists, eight PIMs and a -5 plus/minus through 39 games with Ohio State University (NCAA) this season and has signed a two-year, entry-level contract Tuesday. The 21-year-old undrafted defenseman will make his NHL debut on Thursday vs. the Chicago Blackhawks.

Cole McWard
The Canucks signed Cole McWard to a two-year, entry-level contract on Tuesday.

McWard had nine goals, 12 assists, eight PIMs and a -5 plus/minus through 39 games with Ohio State University (NCAA) this season and has signed a two-year, entry-level contract Tuesday. The 21-year-old undrafted defenseman will make his NHL debut on Thursday vs. the Chicago Blackhawks.

Cole McWard
Boqvist (illness) is expected to be back in the Blue Jackets lineup on Tuesday.

Boqvist has missed the Blue Jackets' previous three games due to an illness but is expected to draw back into the lineup Tuesday as the team takes on Toronto. The 22-year-old had five goals, 17 assists, 63 SOG, eight PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 40 games this season prior to his illness.

Adam Boqvist