New York Islanders News

The Islanders will not hold a morning skate in Arizona on Friday, so we'll have to rely on Thursday's practice for information. It looks like Ilya Sorokin will get the start, which makes sense since Semyon Varlamov started in Boston on Tuesday. Sorokin is riding a four-game losing skid, having allowed 12 goals on 108 shots (.889 SV%). He takes on the Coyotes, who are 28th in the NHL in goals for (2.74) and last in shots (23.5).

Palmieri has not played since Nov.21st due to an upper-body injury but will be a game-time decision to return Friday vs. Arizona. The 31-year-old veteran winger has six goals, nine points and 37 SOG through 20 games prior to hitting the shelf due to injury.

Palmieri has not played since Nov.21st due to an upper-body injury but will be a game-time decision to return Friday vs. Arizona. The 31-year-old veteran winger has six goals, nine points and 37 SOG through 20 games prior to hitting the shelf due to injury.

The Islanders will not hold a morning skate in Arizona on Friday, so we'll have to rely on Thursday's practice for information. It looks like Ilya Sorokin will get the start, which makes sense since Semyon Varlamov started in Boston on Tuesday. Sorokin is riding a four-game losing skid, having allowed 12 goals on 108 shots (.889 SV%). He takes on the Coyotes, who are 28th in the NHL in goals for (2.74) and last in shots (23.5).

Pelech left the Islanders' game last Tuesday (Dec. 6th) after just 15:37 TOI due to an upper-body injury and will now head to the injured reserve meaning he will miss at least one more game. The 28-year-old has been enjoying his most productive statistical season to date, with three goals, eight assists, 24 PIMs and +12 plus/minus through 27 games this season.

Vanecek allowed four goals on 23 shots (.826 SV%) as he picked up his second overtime loss in three starts with a 5-4 defeat to the New York Rangers. Vanecek has been nearly unbeatable this season, shown by his 12-2-2 record, .912 SV% and 2.39 GAA. He faces the struggling Philadelphia Flyers, who have won only one of their last seven contests.

Palmieri has not played since Nov.21st due to an upper-body injury but will not return Tuesday vs. the Bruins. The 31-year-old veteran winger has six goals, nine points and 37 SOG through 20 games prior to hitting the shelf due to injury.

Palmieri has not played since Nov.21st due to an upper-body injury but will be a game-time decision to return Tuesday vs. the Bruins. The 31-year-old veteran winger has six goals, nine points and 37 SOG through 20 games prior to hitting the shelf due to injury.

Varlamov allowed four goals on 29 shots (.862 SV%) yet picked up his third straight victory as he beat New Jersey in his last start. The Islanders' backup has been more than serviceable this season, as shown by his 7-3-0 record, 2.67 GAA and .916 SV%. He draws the daunting task of the Boston Bruins, who are first in the NHL in goals per game (3.89) and second in shots (35.1).

Vanecek was pulled in his previous start after allowing four goals on 17 shots (.765 SV%) as he took the no-decision in his worst start of the season vs. the Islanders. The 26-year-old has been exceptional for the Devils in his first season, with a 12-2-1 record, 2.30 GAA and .916 SV%. He will take on the New York Rangers, who have won their last three contests after beating Colorado 2-1 in a shootout in their last game.

Vanecek was pulled in his previous start after allowing four goals on 17 shots (.765 SV%) as he took the no-decision in his worst start of the season vs. the Islanders. The 26-year-old has been exceptional for the Devils in his first season, with a 12-2-1 record, 2.30 GAA and .916 SV%. He will take on the New York Rangers, who have won their last three contests after beating Colorado 2-1 in a shootout in their last game.

Clutterbuck hasn't played since Nov.29th due to an upper-body injury but will be back in the lineup Friday. The 35-year-old recently took the all-time record for hits and has two goals, one assist, 19 SOG and 12 PIMs through 22 GP prior to the injury.

DeAngelo will head to the press box for the first time this season after scoring four goals and 14 points with 58 SOG and a -13 plus/minus through 26 games in his first year with the Philadelphia Flyers.