New York Islanders News

Sorokin will return to the Islanders' crease on Saturday after Semyon Varlamov got the call in Thursday's 4-3 loss in Seattle. Sorokin last appeared in Wednesday's game in Vancouver, allowing four goals on 43 shots in the 4-3 overtime loss. Sorokin is off to a relatively slow start to his 2023-24 season, registering a 3-3-4 record to go along with his .907 SV% and 3.28 GAA. He and the Islanders are slight road underdogs at +120 tonight in Calgary.

The Devils will turn to Vanecek for the second straight game after he allowed just two goals on 23 shots in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Penguins. Given the struggles of Akira Schmid, Vanecek has been just solid enough to maintain a firm grasp on the Devils' starting job. He owns an impressive 7-3-0 record on the season despite an .889 SV% and a 3.30 GAA. Vanecek and the Devils are very slight home favourites (-120) to secure a victory over the Rangers on Saturday.

Maccelli exited Thursday's game with an upper-body injury after playing only 6:04 time-on-ice but seems to have avoided a serious injury. The talented Finnish winger has been having a solid season with the Coyotes, totalling 11 points (2G / 9A) in 16 games while primarily playing Nick Bjugstad and Lawson Crouse on the Coyotes' second line.

Maccelli exited Thursday's game with an upper-body injury after playing only 6:04 time-on-ice. The talented Finnish winger has been having a solid season with the Coyotes, totalling 11 points (2G / 9A) in 16 games while primarily playing Nick Bjugstad and Lawson Crouse on the Coyotes' second line.

Martin will sit in favour of Hudson Fasching, who will take Martin's spot alongside Cody Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck on the Islanders' fourth line. Martin has one goal, one assist, and 31 hits in 14 games this season.

Varlamov will start on Thursday and attempt to help the Islanders snap their six-game losing streak (0-4-2). The Islanders have not won since November 2nd when Varlamov was forced to be perfect, pitching a 32-save shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Washington Capitals. Despite a tremendous 2.04 GAA and .940 SV% through six games (2-3-0), Varlamov has struggled in his last two games (0-2-0), allowing seven goals on 58 shots (.879 SV%). Last season, the Islanders ranked fifth in the league defensively (2.65 GA / GP), a far cry from their mid-pack ranking this season (3.20 GA / GP). That said, as slight +100 road underdogs, the Islanders will hope to get things back on track, taking on the fourth-lowest scoring team in the league, the Seatle Kraken (2.53 GF / GP).

Maccelli exited the game in the second period after taking a puck to the face and did not return. The 23-year-old winger has two goals and nine assists in 16 games to open the season. We should expect to receive an update on Maccelli's injury and a possible timeline for his recovery in the coming days.

Vanecek received the night off on Tuesday but will return to the starter's crease on Thursday against the red-hot Pittsburgh Penguins. Vanecek and the Devils have been shadows of themselves, with Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier out of the lineup tending to injuries. The Devils have lost four of their last five (1-4-0), scoring more than three goals only once in that span. In addition, Vanecek hasn't been able to shut the door consistently, highlighted by his two most recent performances (0-2-0), allowing seven goals on a combined 36 shots (.806 SV%). Making things worse, the Devils are +127 road underdogs against a Penguins team that has outscored their opposition 25-8 during a five-game winning streak.

Vanecek received the night off on Tuesday but will likely return to the starter's crease on Thursday against the red-hot Pittsburgh Penguins. Vanecek and the Devils have been shadows of themselves, with Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier out of the lineup tending to injuries. The Devils have lost four of their last five (1-4-0), scoring more than three goals only once in that span. In addition, Vanecek hasn't been able to shut the door consistently, highlighted by his two most recent performances (0-2-0), allowing seven goals on a combined 36 shots (.806 SV%). Making things worse, the Devils are +127 road underdogs against a Penguins team that has outscored their opposition 25-8 during a five-game winning streak.

Varlamov will likely start on Thursday and attempt to help the Islanders snap their six-game losing streak (0-4-2). The Islanders have not won since November 2nd when Varlamov was forced to be perfect, pitching a 32-save shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Washington Capitals. Despite a tremendous 2.04 GAA and .940 SV% through six games (2-3-0), Varlamov has struggled in his last two games (0-2-0), allowing seven goals on 58 shots (.879 SV%). Last season, the Islanders ranked fifth in the league defensively (2.65 GA / GP), a far cry from their mid-pack ranking this season (3.20 GA / GP). That said, as slight +100 road underdogs, the Islanders will hope to get things back on track, taking on the fourth-lowest scoring team in the league, the Seatle Kraken (2.53 GF / GP).

Sorokin will start consecutive games for the first time since late October, which is coincidentally the last time the struggling superstar goaltender allowed less than three goals in a contest. Sorokin has allowed three or more goals in four consecutive games (0-2-2), posting a subpar .898 SV% in the process. The Islanders are +128 underdogs on the road against a Vancouver Canucks team that has points in 10 of their last 11 games (9-1-1) and leads the league offensively (4.40 GF / GP).

Duclair missed the last three games as he recovered from strep throat but is expected to return to the Sharks' lineup Thursday vs. St. Louis. The 28-year-old winger is in his first season with San Jose (7th NHL team) and has three goals, two assists, 24 SOG, 20 PIMs and a -12 plus/minus through 13 games played.

Sorokin will likely start consecutive games for the first time since late October, which is coincidentally the last time the struggling superstar goaltender allowed less than three goals in a contest. Sorokin has allowed three or more goals in four consecutive games (0-2-2), posting a subpar .898 SV% in the process. The Islanders are +128 underdogs on the road against a Vancouver Canucks team that has points in 10 of their last 11 games (9-1-1) and leads the league offensively (4.40 GF / GP).

Duclair has been unavailable for the Sharks last two games as he has battled an illness but was a game-time decision on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers. Before stepping out of the lineup, Duclair was on a nice run, posting four points (2G / 2A) in his last three games.

Duclair has been unavailable for the Sharks last two games as he has battled an illness but could be an option to return on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers. Before stepping out of the lineup, Duclair was on a nice run, posting four points (2G / 2A) in his last three games.

Pelech has been out of the lineup since November 7th with a lower-body injury but could be an option to return for the Islanders on Monday night. Pelech is averaging 20:22 time-on-ice through 10 games this season, tallying one point (0G / 1A), 22 blocks, and 12 hits.