New York Islanders News

The Islanders have signed Blade Jenkins to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The Islanders selected Jenkins in the fifth-round of the 2018 NHL Draft. The 19-year-old, Michigan native spent 2020 with the Saginaw Spirit, where he scored 16 goals with 24 assists (40 points) in 47 games. He will likely return to the OHL for his fourth season in 2021.

Blade Jenkins
The Canadiens have agrred to terms with Alexander Romanov on a three-year, entry-level contract.

Romanov was selected in the second-round (No.38 overall) in 2018 and is expected to make the leap into the NHL in 2020-21. The 20-year-old Russian blueliner has spent the last two seasons in the KHL, where he's played a limited role and tallied just 11 points (1G / 10A) in a combined 86 games for CSKA Moscow. However, while playing against players his own age in the 2019 and 2020 World Juniors, Romanov had two goals and 12 assists (14 points) in 14 games. Due to the current pause of the NHL season, the start date of the contract has yet to be determined.

Alexander Romanov
The Blackhawks signed Matthew Highmore to a two-year contract extension worth $1.45 million ($725K AAV ).

In his third professional season, Highmore split his time between the AHL and NHL. He scored two goals with four assists (six points) in 36 games with the Blackhawks, serving exclusively as a bottom-6 option. He added 12 points (4G / 8A) in 21 AHL contests.

Matthew Highmore
Hogberg will start Tuesday in Anaheim.

Hogberg allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Senators win over the Red Wings on February 29th. Hogberg missed the last three games due to personal reasons but will return tonight in Anaheim. He's gone 0-3-3 with a 2.94 GAA and .910 SV% on the road this year while the Ducks are 3-1-1 with 2.60 goals per game in their last five home games.

Marcus Hogberg
Varlamov will start Tuesday in Vancouver.

Varlamov allowed four goals on 29 shots in the Islanders loss in Ottawa last Thursday. Varlamov has struggled in his last 10 outings (eight starts), going 2-5-1 with a 2.59 GAA and .913 SV%. Tonight he faces a Canucks team that has lost five of their last six games (1-5-0) while averaging 2.67 goals for and 3.83 goals against per game.

Semyon Varlamov
Schneider will start Friday vs. the Blues.

Blackwood allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Devils loss in Vegas on Tuesday. Since the start of February, Blackwood has gone 6-1-1 while leading the NHL in GAA (1.48) and SV% (.961). Against the Rangers this year, Blackhawks has gone 1-2-0 while giving up 10 goals on 78 shots (.872 SV%).

Cory Schneider
Varlamov will start Thursday in Ottawa.

Varlamov allowed two goals on 14 shots after replacing Thomas Greiss in the Islanders' loss to the Canadiens on Tuesday. Since mid-January, Varlamov has gone 2-4-1 with a 2.41 GAA and .919 SV% in nine games (seven starts). Tonight he faces a Senators team that is 4-2-0 while averaging 3.50 goals per game in their last six games in Ottawa.

Semyon Varlamov
Rittich led the Flames onto the ice for warmups.

Rittich allowed four goals on 38 shots in the Flames loss in Nashville on Thursday. Tonight he’ll make his fourth straight game and comes in at 2-1-1 with a 3.65 GAA and .887 SV% in his last five starts. Today he faces a Lightning team that has lost four straight games while averaging 2.75 goals for and 5.25 goals against per game.

David Rittich