Gauthier missed the Islanders' previous game Thursday due to an upper-body injury but appears ready to go on Saturday vs. Carolina. The 26-year-old is off to the most productive start of his five-year career, with two goals, five points, 19 SOG and. four PIMs in 14 games played prior to his injury.
On the back end of a back-to-back, the Islanders will likely turn to Varlamov after a 3-1 victory against the Edmonton Oilers last night courtesy of a strong performance from Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin has been active between the pipes for the Islanders this season, starting three of the last seven games. That said, his 2.73 GAA and .919 SV% are inflated by a strong start, as he has allowed three or more goals in each of his last eight contests (4-3-1), posting a .897 SV%. The Islanders are slight +102 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team that has only scored two combined goals in their last two games (1-1-0).
Gauthier left the Islanders' game Tuesday after just 4:33 TOI due to an upper-body injury and will be out Wednesday vs. Washington but is staying with the team on their road trip. The 26-year-old right winger is on pace to set career highs in almost all statistical categories as he started the season with two goals, three assists, 19 SOG, four PIMs and a -3 plus/minus in 14 games prior to his injury.
Wahlstrom has missed the Islanders' previous eight games due to illness but is set to draw back into the lineup Wednesday as he takes the spot of Julien Gauthier (upper body). The 23-year-old right-winger had two goals, three assists, 23 SOG, four PIMs and a -5 plus/minus in 17 games played prior to missing the last two and a half weeks.
Matt Martin has not played since November 15th and will remain on the injured reserve with an upper-body injury. In 14 games this season, Martin had two points (1G / 1A) and 31 hits while averaging 8:27 time-on-ice., the lowest total of his career since averaging 7:59 in the 2017-18 season.
On the back end of a back-to-back, the Islanders will likely turn to Varlamov after a 3-1 victory against the Edmonton Oilers last night courtesy of a strong performance from Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin has been active between the pipes for the Islanders this season, starting three of the last seven games. That said, his 2.73 GAA and .919 SV% are inflated by a strong start, as he has allowed three or more goals in each of his last eight contests (4-3-1), posting a .897 SV%. The Islanders are slight +102 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team that has only scored two combined goals in their last two games (1-1-0).
Gauthier suffered an undisclosed injury in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers and exited the game after playing only 4:33 time-on-ice. Gauthier has been a regular in the Islanders lineup for the last month and has played predominantly on a line with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Simon Holmstrom, tallying five points (2G / 3A) in 14 games.
Duclair was a healthy scratch in the Sharks' 6-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday but will return to the lineup Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Kings. Duclair has played predominantly with Mikael Granlund and Fabian Zetterlund, scoring 11 points (6G / 5A) in 27 games this season.
After alternating starts with Semyon Varlamov over the last week, Sorokin will start for the third time in the last five games for the Islanders. Sorokin has struggled to string together quality starts this season, never recording more than two in a row. After allowing four goals on 34 shots (.882 SV%) in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins in his last outing, he will be hard-pressed to regain his footing against the high-flying Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. The Islanders are +121 home underdogs against an Oilers team that has lost two straight but previously won eight games in a row.
After alternating starts with Semyon Varlamov over the last week, Sorokin will likely start for the third time in the last five games for the Islanders. Sorokin has struggled to string together quality starts this season, never recording more than two in a row. After allowing four goals on 34 shots (.882 SV%) in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins in his last outing, he will be hard-pressed to regain his footing against the high-flying Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. The Islanders are +121 home underdogs against an Oilers team that has lost two straight but previously won eight games in a row.
Mayfield has four assists, 17 PIMs, 19 SOG, and a -1 plus/minus in 20 games played this season but has been placed on the injured reserve and will not be available to return until December 19th against the Edmonton Oilers at the earliest. The 31-year-old bruising defenseman was replaced by Sebastian Aho (upper body) on Wednesday, who returned after an eight-game absence.
Sorokin has won two straight games and will return to the crease on Friday after serving as the backup in their previous game on Wednesday. Sorokin has won consecutive games only one other time this season and has yet to record three straight victories. The Islanders as a whole are playing their best hockey of the season, riding a season-best four-game winning streak. That said, they are slight +102 home underdogs against a Boston Bruins team that has scored more than three goals only once in their last four games (2-1-1).
Sorokin has won two straight games and will likely return to the crease on Friday after serving as the backup in their previous game on Wednesday. Sorokin has won consecutive games only one other time this season and has yet to record three straight victories. The Islanders as a whole are playing their best hockey of the season, riding a season-best four-game winning streak. That said, they are slight +102 home underdogs against a Boston Bruins team that has scored more than three goals only once in their last four games (2-1-1).
Varlamov will get his first start in three games but will look to extend a three-game winning streak after beating Columbus in a 32 save win (.914 SV%) in his last start. The 35-year-old veteran backup has been sensational in his 16 NHL seasons, with his 5-3-1 record, 2.55 GAA And .925 SV%. The Islanders will host the Ducks Wednesday, who is looking to snap a three-game losing streak and are 28th in the NHL in goals per game (2.59).
Hutton had five assists, 14 PIMs and a -5 plus/minus in 16 games with Bridgeport (AHL) and has been recalled from the Islanders for the second time this season. The 28-year-old has earned the call up and will be used as an extra defensemen with Scott Mayfield (upper body) day-to-day and Sebastian Aho (upper body) returning from injury.
Mayfield has four assists, 17 PIMs, 19 SOG, and a -1 plus/minus in 20 games played this season but is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury and is not expected to play Wednesday vs. Anaheim. The 31-year-old bruising defensemen should be replaced by Sebastian Aho (upper body), who returns after an eight game absence.
Duclair exited Sunday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights with an upper-body injury after playing only 5:50 time-on-ice, depleting a Sharks offence that was already without William Eklund, leading to Tomas Hertl playing a season-high 28:46. Duclair has five points (3G / 2A) in his last five games along with a +6 plus/minus and will be ready to play on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers.
Matt Martin has not played since November 15th and will remain on the injured reserve with an upper-body injury. In 14 games this season, Martin had two points (1G / 1A) and 31 hits while averaging 8:27 time-on-ice., the lowest total of his career since averaging 7:59 in the 2017-18 season.
