New York Islanders News

After being the Islanders' starting goaltender in the first two games of the season, Varlamov has served as the backup to Ilya Sorokin in four of the last five games. Varlamov is expected to return to the starter's crease on Saturday, the tail end of a back-to-back, and search for his second victory of the season. The 36-year-old Varlamov, in his 17th NHL season, has started the 2024-25 season with undesirable results, showcasing a pedestrian 3.27 GAA and .868 SV% in three games (1-1-1).

Patrick Roy and the Islanders coaching staff will turn to Sorokin between the pipes on the front end of a back-to-back. After serving as the backup to Semyon Varlamov in the first two games of the season, Friday's start against the New Jersey Devils will make four starts for Sorokin in the last five games. The 29-year-old Sorokin has been excellent to start the 2024-25 season despite a modest 1-1-1 record, posting a stellar 1.34 GAA and .947 SV%. The Islanders enter action on Friday as +119 road underdogs against the Devils.

Only five games into his tenure as a New York Islander, Duclair has suffered a lower-body injury that will keep him sidelined for 4-6 weeks. The 30-year-old Duclair was signed in the offseason to add an offensive punch to a typically low-scoring Islanders club and was off to a solid start, with three points (2G / 1A) in five games.

The 27th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Ritchie will return to Oshawa after registering one goal and no assists in seven games with the Avalanche. Ritchie will play an integral role in his final OHL season with the Generals and is likely to play on Team Canada at the upcoming World Juniors.

Matthew Kessel will exit the Blues' lineup on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, allowing Perunovich to enter the lineup for his season debut. The 26-year-old Perunovich has an offensive pedigree that has made him a near-point-per-game defenseman at every level other than the NHL. In 54 games with the Blues last season, Perunovich had 17 points (0G / 17A).

With Julie Gauthier cleared waivers on Monday, the Islanders have recalled Foudy from Bridgeport (AHL). The 24-year-old Foudy was the 18th overall pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He played 62 games with the Blue Jackets in the 2022-23 season, scoring 14 points (7G / 7A), but has primarily been an AHL player.

After clearing waivers on Monday afternoon, Gauthier will report to the Bridgeport Islanders of the AHL, where he had 10 points (7G / 3A) in 17 games last season. The 27-year-old Gauthier was held off the scoresheet in his only game this season and has 41 points (19G / 22A) in 181 career NHL games.

Beckman has cleared waivers and will report to the Utica Comets of the AHL. The 23-year-old was the 75th overall pick of the Minnesota Wild in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and had two points (0G / 2A) in 11 games with Minnesota last season.

The Islanders will turn to Sorokin between the pipes on Tuesday evening against the Detroit Red Wings. Despite two tremendous outings, Patrick Roy and the Islanders' coaching staff continue to be very liberal in their goaltending rotation between Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov. In two contests (1-0-1), Sorokin boasts a gaudy 1.48 GAA and .953 SV%. After an uncharacteristic 2023-24 campaign, he seems on track to return to the form that made him a Vezina-trophy runner-up in the 2022-23 season.

Only five games into his tenure as a New York Islander, Duclair has suffered an undisclosed injury that will keep him sidelined indefinitely. The 30-year-old Duclair was signed in the offseason to add an offensive punch to a typically low-scoring Islanders club and was off to a solid start, with three points (2G / 1A) in five games.

Duclair had to be helped off the ice after suffering an apparent leg injury in Saturday's game. Post-game head coach Patrick Roy did not have an update on Duclair and they don't practice on Sunday, so don't expect an update on the winger until Monday at the earliest.

Sorokin made his season debut for the Islanders on Monday after serving as the backup to Semyon Varlamov in their first two games and put forth an excellent performance, saving 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche, the Islanders first win of the 2024-25 season. Sorokin underwent offseason back surgery after the weakest season of his career in 2023-24, posting a pedestrian 3.01 GAA and .908 SV% in 56 games (25-19-12), but looks poised to return to the form that made him a Vezina-trophy runner-up in 2022-23.

Sorokin made his season debut for the Islanders on Monday after serving as the backup to Semyon Varlamov in their first two games and put forth an excellent performance, saving 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche, the Islanders first win of the 2024-25 season. Sorokin underwent offseason back surgery after the weakest season of his career in 2023-24, posting a pedestrian 3.01 GAA and .908 SV% in 56 games (25-19-12), but looks poised to return to the form that made him a Vezina-trophy runner-up in 2022-23.

After losing their first two games of the season, the Islanders will finally turn to 2022-23 Vezina-trophy runner-up Sorokin in between the pipes. Sorokin had a disappointing 2023-24 campaign, posting a 3.01 GAA and .908 SV% in 56 outings (25-19-12), and seemingly fell out of favor with head coach Patrick Roy. That said, the 29-year-old Sorokin has been terrific over his four-year NHL career, accumulating a terrific 2.54 GAA and .919 SV% in 192 career contests (95-65-30). The Islanders enter action on Monday as +135 road underdogs against the winless Colorado Avalanche.

After losing their first two games of the season, the Islanders will finally turn to 2022-23 Vezina-trophy runner-up Sorokin in between the pipes. Sorokin had a disappointing 2023-24 campaign, posting a 3.01 GAA and .908 SV% in 56 outings (25-19-12), and seemingly fell out of favor with head coach Patrick Roy. That said, the 29-year-old Sorokin has been terrific over his four-year NHL career, accumulating a terrific 2.54 GAA and .919 SV% in 192 career contests (95-65-30). The Islanders enter action on Monday as +135 road underdogs against the winless Colorado Avalanche.