New York Islanders News

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. The 26-year-old Gatcomb is averaging 10:12 time-on-ice and has two points (1G / 1A) in 14 games this season.

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.

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 27-year-old Tsyplakov's second-year struggles in the NHL continue, with only one point (1G / 0A) in 21 games. He had 35 points (10G / 25A) last year in his rookie season.

Ilya Sorokin (lower body) is not ready to return yet, but his absence has not been an issue for the Islanders, as Rittich continues his strong 2025-26 campaign. The 33-year-old Czech goalie has a stellar 2.27 GAA and .918 SV% in 16 games (10-4-2). The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as slight +108 home underdogs against a Utah Mammoth team that has lost three of their last four games (1-3-0).

Ilya Sorokin (lower body) remains out of the lineup, but the Islanders have received adequate goaltending from Rittich in his absence, and he will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Rittich has an excellent 2.30 GAA and .919 SV% in 15 games this season (9-4-2). The 33-year-old Czech goalie has been outstanding lately, posting a 1.65 GAA and .949 SV% in his last five games (3-1-1). The Islanders enter Tuesday's action as -133 road favorites against a Blackhawks team coming off a 7-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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.

Ilya Sorokin (lower body) remains out of the lineup, but the Islanders have received adequate goaltending from Rittich in his absence, and he will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Rittich has an excellent 2.30 GAA and .919 SV% in 15 games this season (9-4-2). The 33-year-old Czech goalie has been outstanding lately, posting a 1.65 GAA and .949 SV% in his last five games (3-1-1). The Islanders enter Tuesday's action as -133 road favorites against a Blackhawks team coming off a 7-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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 Ilya Sorokin (lower body) still on Injured Reserve, the Islanders will turn to Rittich in back-to-back games. The 33-year-old Rittich was excellent in yesterday's 2-0 win over the New York Rangers, saving all 27 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season. He has a solid 2.25 GAA and .919 SV% in 14 games (9-3-2).

With Bo Horvat returning to the Islanders' lineup on Saturday, Duclair will sit vs. the Rangers. Head coach Patrick Roy called it "heartbreaking" when deciding who to take out of the lineup and added that Duclair has "played well." Duclair has not scored in 10 games, picking up just three assists during that stretch.

Hogberg is expected to serve as the Islanders' backup for both of their games this weekend, with David Rittich expected to start both games. Ilya Sorokin could be back as soon as Tuesday, at which point Hogberg will return to the AHL. He's 5-7-2 with a 3.08 GAA and .881 SV% in 14 AHL games this season.

With Ilya Sorokin (lower body) still on Injured Reserve, the Islanders will likely turn to Rittich in back-to-back games. The 33-year-old Rittich was excellent in yesterday's 2-0 win over the New York Rangers, saving all 27 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season. He has a solid 2.25 GAA and .919 SV% in 14 games (9-3-2).

Sorokin's move to IR is retroactive to December 20th, which means he's eligible to return for their next game. Sorokin will travel to Columbus on Saturday, and could return as soon as Tuesday in Chicago. Look for David Rittich to start both of their games on their Saturday/Sunday back-to-back.

Horvat missed the last five games with a lower-body injury, but will play Saturday vs. the Rangers. Horvat, who will be back on the top line with Jonathan Drouin and Emil Heineman, has 19 goals and 12 assists (31 points) in 32 games this season.

Rittich stopped 31 of 32 shots in the Islanders' 2-1 win over the Devils on Tuesday. Rittich has played very well in his last three starts, going 2-0-1 while stopping 92 of the 97 shots (.948 SV%) that he's faced. Tonight he'll face the Rangers on home-ice, where he's gone 6-1-1 with a 2.08 GAA, .923 SV% and one shutout this season.