Horvat just recently returned from a multi-week absence due to a lower-body injury and returned to the sidelines after only four games. The Islanders' upcoming seven-game road trip runs through January 21st, so the talented forward's return window isn't specific, but it is encouraging to know he will likely be back in the lineup within two weeks. Horvat has 33 points (21G 12A) in 36 games this season.
Schaefer was absent from practice on Monday due to illness, but he attended the team's morning skate on Tuesday and will be in the lineup in the evening against the New Jersey Devils. The 18-year-old rookie's tremendous season continued in the Islanders' most recent game, recording two goals, including the overtime winner, in a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has 28 points (12G / 16A) in 42 games this season.
Sorokin has not played since December 19th, tending to a lower-body injury, but he will return to the crease on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. The 30-year-old Sorokin has a 2.55 GAA and .910 SV% in 24 games this season (12-10-2) and has been terrific since the end of October, posting a 2.14 GAA and .927 SV% in 17 games (10-6-1).
Schaefer was absent from practice on Monday due to illness, and it is unclear whether he will be ready to play on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils, being marked as a game-time decision. The 18-year-old rookie's tremendous season continued in the Islanders' most recent game, recording two goals, including the overtime winner, in a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has 28 points (12G / 16A) in 42 games this season.
Sorokin has not played since December 19th due to a lower-body injury. He will serve as David Rittich's backup on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but could return to the crease on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. The 30-year-old Sorokin has a 2.55 GAA and .910 SV% in 24 games this season (12-10-2).
Horvat just recently returned from a multi-week absence due to a lower-body injury and will return to the sidelines. The injury is not expected to affect the 30-year-old's availability for the Olympics, meaning he should be back, at the latest, before the end of the month. Horvat has 33 points (21G 12A) in 36 games this season.
Warren's first exposure to the NHL was successful, scoring three assists in his first eight games, but he will return to a familiar place in the AHL. The 24-year-old Warren was a sixth-round pick of the Minnesota Wild in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He has spent the majority of the previous three seasons in the AHL.
The Islanders will make some changes to their forward group on Thursday, with Maxim Tsyplakov and Kyle MacLean drawing into the lineup in place of Anthony Duclair and Marc Gatcomb. Duclair averaged 44.1 points per season across the first decade of his career, but has failed to maintain that pace since joining the Islanders, producing at a concerning 23.7 points per season over the last two seasons.
The Islanders will make some changes to their forward group on Thursday, with Maxim Tsyplakov and Kyle MacLean drawing into the lineup for Anthony Duclair and Marc Gatcomb. The 26-year-old MacLean is averaging 10:40 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 25 games this season.
Logan Mailloux will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Kessel to re-enter the lineup against the Colorado Avalanche. The 25-year-old Kessel is averaging 11:40 time-on-ice and has two goals in 18 games this season.
Calum Ritchie will return to the New York's lineup on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks, resulting in MacLean being a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old MacLean has three points (1G / 2A) in 25 games this season.
Kyle MacLean will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Ritchie to return from a one-game absence against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 20-year-old Ritchie has eight points (4G / 4A) in 28 games this season.
With Karel Vejmelka (upper body) on Injured Reserve, Vanecek will tend the twine for at least one more game. Vanecek was stellar in his previous outing, saving 25 of 26 shots (.962 SV%) in a 1-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. He has a 2.81 GAA and .882 SV% in 11 games this season (2-8-1). The Mammoth enters Monday's contest as -141 home favorites against a Nashville Predators team that has won three of their last four (3-1-0).
Bear has not played yet this season due to a wrist injury and will get his start in the AHL with the Bridgeport Islanders after clearing waivers. The 28-year-old defenseman spent the entirety of the 2025-26 season in the AHL, scoring 46 points (10G / 36A) in 62 games with the Hershey Bears.
With Karel Vejmelka (upper body) on Injured Reserve, Vanecek will tend the twine for at least one more game. Vanecek was stellar in his previous outing, saving 25 of 26 shots (.962 SV%) in a 1-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. He has a 2.81 GAA and .882 SV% in 11 games this season (2-8-1). The Mammoth enters Monday's contest as -141 home favorites against a Nashville Predators team that has won three of their last four (3-1-0).
