With Ilya Sorkin sidelined, tending to a nagging injury, Rittich will tend the twine for the Islanders on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. Rittich has been solid in a supporting role this season, posting a 2.54 GAA and .908 SV% in 12 games (7-3-2), and has elevated his play lately. The 33-year-old Czech goalie has a stellar 2.05 GAA and .926 SV% in his last seven games (4-1-2).
Lammikko played in four straight games, recording two assists, but will be replaced by Jack Hughes, who will play for the first time since mid-November.
Gritsyuk has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury but will play Sunday vs. Buffalo. Gritsyuk, who has 10 points (5G / 5A) in his last 17 games, will be one of three key forwards returning to the Devils' lineup on Sunday, with both Jack Hughes and Timo Meier also returning.
Meier missed the last five games due to personal reasons, but will play Sunday vs. Buffalo. Meier, who has nine points (6G / 3A) in his last 10 games, will be one of three key forwards returning to the Devils' lineup on Sunday, with both Jack Hughes and Arseny Gritsyuk also returning.
Hughes returned to the ice on Sunday morning and told reporters after the optional morning skate that he expects to play Sunday vs. Buffalo. Hughes has been out since November 12th after suffering a freak hand injury in a dinner incident. He rejoins the lineup with 20 points (10G / 10A) in 17 games this season.
The Jets will hand Hellebuyck his 18th start of the season when they travel to Denver on Friday. Hellebuyck was unfortunate to be tagged with the loss in his last start, allowing just a single goal on 26 shots in a 1-0 loss in St. Louis on Wednesday. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner brings a 9-7-1 record and .918 SV% into Wednesday night's matchup with the mighty Avalanche, where the Jets enter action at +200 on the money line.
Rodrigues left Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings due to a lower-body injury and did not return, but he will be ready to suit up on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 32-year-old Rodrigues has 16 points (8G / 8A) in 33 games this season.
Chisholm will slot in for Trevor van Riemsdyk, who was a surprise scratch on Thursday. Chisholm will start the game with Rasmus Sandin on Washington's third pair.
Allen will make his 17th start of the season when the Devils travel to Vegas on Wednesday. Allen was victorious in his last start, allowing just one goal on 31 shots in a 4-1 win over the Ducks on Saturday. The 35-year-old netminder owns a 9-7-0 record and .907 SV% on the season. Allen and the Devils enter action on Wednesday at +140 on the money line.
The Jets went 3-8-1 in 12 games with Hellebuyck sidelined due to a knee injury, but have collected at least a point in both games since his return (1-0-1). The 32-year-old Hellebuyck has been solid between the pipes, as per usual, posting a 2.44 GAA and .915 SV% in 16 games (9-6-1). The Jets enter the action on Wednesday as -132 road favorites against a St. Louis Blues team that has been outscored 19-9 in their last four games (1-3-0).
Pesce has not played since suffering an upper-body injury on October 26th, but will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 30-year-old defenseman has been a stabilizing force on New Jersey's blueline when healthy, averaging 19:39 time-on-ice and scoring three points (0G / 3A) in nine games.
Gritsyuk has not played the last two games due to an upper-body injury and will seemingly miss at least the next two while the Devils are on a road trip. The 24-year-old Gritsyuk's introduction to the NHL this season has been a positive one, tallying 16 points (7G / 9A) through 31 games while playing a middle-six role.
