Chaffee was returned to Syracuse (AHL) for the All-Star break but has been deservedly returned to Tampa Bay on Monday. The 26-year-old had only appeared in two NHL games previous to this season and picked up his first career points on January 25th, 2024 this season. Through three games and only 8:25 average TOI he has a goal and an assist to go along with his +1 plus/minus.
Sorokin will likely return to the crease for the Islanders on Monday after serving as the backup to Semyon Varlamov in the Islanders' last two games before the All-Star break, both losing efforts. Sorokin has not played since January 23rd and has allowed three or more goals in four of his last five games (1-3-1) but has salvaged a respectable .911 SV% in the process. The Islanders defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3 three weeks ago but are +139 road underdogs on Monday night.
Martin will be unavailable on Thursday due to an illness. Hudson Fasching will draw back into the lineup in Martin's place.
Varlamov has been out since January 2nd due to a lower-body injury but returned Tuesday to back up Ilya Sorokin and will start Thursday vs. Montreal. The 35-year-old back up has exclaimed his excitement for new Head Coach Patrick Roy, who he played under in Colorado during Roy's inaugural coaching tenure. Varlamov is positing an impressive 6-4-2 record, 2.78 GAA And .918 SV% on the season. He will take on Montreal on Thursday.
Chaffee has not played since December 12th, when he registered two hits in 6:56 time-on-ice. He will likely line up on the fourth line with Luke Glendenning and Waltteri Merela.
Palat last played on December 30th, missing the last 10 games, but will return to the lineup on Thursday after being a full participant at practice on Wednesday. In 35 games this season, Palat has 14 points (5G / 9A), his lowest point-per-game pace since his rookie season in 2012-13.
Bear will re-enter the Capitals' lineup in place of the scratched Trevor van Riemsdyk for Wednesday's game in Colorado. Bear has one goal and one assist in 11 games this season.
Chaffee went pointless in his only game with the Lightning this season, though he remains productive for Syracuse (AHL). He has 11 goals and 14 assists in 33 AHL games this season.
Engvall has missed the last four games due to an upper-body injury but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. Engvall has five goals and nine assists in 41 games this season.
Palat last played on December 30th, missing the last 10 games, but appears to be nearing a return after being a full participant at practice on Wednesday. In 35 games this season, Palat has 14 points (5G / 9A), his lowest point-per-game pace since his rookie season in 2012-13.
Bear will exit the lineup for the first time since joining the Capitals team at the end of December. In 11 games, Bear has two points (1G / 1A), 19 shots, and 17 blocks. Alexander Alexeyev will also be a healthy scratch for the Capitals as Rasmus Sandin and Trevor van Riemsdyk will draw back into the lineup.
Varlamov has been out since January 2nd due to a lower-body injury but returned Tuesday to back up Ilya Sorokin and is expected to start Thursday vs. Montreal. The 35-year-old back up has exclaimed his excitement for new Head Coach Patrick Roy, who he played under in Colorado during Roy's inaugural coaching tenure. Varlamov is positing an impressive 6-4-2 record, 2.78 GAA And .918 SV% on the season. He will take on Montreal on Thursday.
Despite Semyon Varlamov being activated from the injured reserve, Sorokin will start for the 10th straight game. Sorokin was tremendous in the Islanders' first game with new head coach Patrick Roy on Sunday, saving 40 of 42 shots (.952 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Dallas Stars. Sorokin has struggled to stay consistent this season and has allowed three or more goals in six of his last eight games (2-5-1), posting a pedestrian .902 SV%. The Islanders are -149 home favourites against a Vegas Golden Knights club that played last night and lost 6-5 in overtime to the New Jersey Devils.
Despite Semyon Varlamov being activated from the injured reserve, Sorokin will likely start for the 10th straight game. Sorokin was tremendous in the Islanders' first game with new head coach Patrick Roy on Sunday, saving 40 of 42 shots (.952 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Dallas Stars. Sorokin has struggled to stay consistent this season and has allowed three or more goals in six of his last eight games (2-5-1), posting a pedestrian .902 SV%. The Islanders are -149 home favourites against a Vegas Golden Knights club that played last night and lost 6-5 in overtime to the New Jersey Devils.
