New York Islanders News

The Islanders are off to a subpar 2-3-0 start this season, but can't fault Sorokin, who has been tremendous between the pipes. The 31-year-old Russian goalie boasts an outstanding 1.77 GAA, .937 SV%, and one shutout in four games this season (2-2-0). He hasn't posted a save percentage above .909 since the 2022-23 season, when he finished as the runner-up for the Vezina Trophy. The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as sizeable -214 home favourites against a Vancouver Canucks team that has been outscored 35-24 through seven games (2-5-0).

The Islanders are off to a subpar 2-3-0 start this season, but can't fault Sorokin, who has been tremendous between the pipes. The 31-year-old Russian goalie boasts an outstanding 1.77 GAA, .937 SV%, and one shutout in four games this season (2-2-0). He hasn't posted a save percentage above .909 since the 2022-23 season, when he finished as the runner-up for the Vezina Trophy. The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as sizeable -214 home favourites against a Vancouver Canucks team that has been outscored 35-24 through seven games (2-5-0).

Horvat had two goals in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, but left the game late with an undisclosed injury. The Islanders, already without Mathew Barzal (knee), can ill-afford to lose Horvat's production for any period. The 31-year-old Horvat has five points (4G / 1A) in four games this season.

Sorokin had the night off in New York's previous game, but he will likely return to the crease on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks, looking to build on a strong start to the 2026-27 season. The 31-year-old goalie has been outstanding through two games, despite a 1-1-0 record, saving 61 of 63 combined shots (.968 SV%). Sorokin had the worst save percentage of his career in 2025-26 (.906 SV%) and hopes to improve those totals this season under new Head Coach Pete DeBoer.

With Alexander Romanov (ACL tear) likely out for the remainder of the season, Mayfield will draw into the lineup for his season debut. The 33-year-old Mayfield played 80 games with the Islanders last season, averaging 16:28 time-on-ice and scoring 15 points (2G / 13A).

Barzal continues to work his way back from a knee injury that kept him out of training camp. He skated on his own on Thursday, which is a sign that he is getting closer to returning to practice with his teammates. The Islanders have yet to provide any kind of timeline on his return to the lineup.

Romanov exited Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers after just 13:20 of ice time. He was absent from practice on Wednesday, and shortly after, the team announced that he would undergo surgery to repair an ACL tear in his right knee and miss six to eight months. The 26-year-old Romanov missed 67 games last season due to a shoulder injury and is likely to miss the remainder of this season as well, for an additional 81 games.

Sorokin had the night off in New York's previous game, but he will likely return to the crease on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks, looking to build on a strong start to the 2026-27 season. The 31-year-old goalie has been outstanding through two games, despite a 1-1-0 record, saving 61 of 63 combined shots (.968 SV%). Sorokin had the worst save percentage of his career in 2025-26 (.906 SV%) and hopes to improve those totals this season under new Head Coach Pete DeBoer.

Romanov exited Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers after only 13:20 time-on-ice with an undisclosed injury, and was absent from practice on Wednesday. The 26-year-old Romanov missed 67 games last season due to a shoulder injury, but it is unclear if his most recent ailment is related. Expect an update from the team before they return to action on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Varlamov has battled a myriad of injuries over the past two seasons, but will return to this crease on Tuesday for his first start since November 29th, 2024. The veteran 38-year-old goalie has put together an excellent career, posting a 2.65 GAA and .916 SV% in 621 career games (289-232-71). That said, in his most recent season, albeit a small sample size, Varlamov was pacing for one of the worst seasons of his career, posting a 2.89 GAA and .889 SV% in 10 appearances (3-4-3). The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as +130 road underdogs against a New York Rangers team on a three-game winning streak.

Varlamov has battled a myriad of injuries over the past two seasons, but will return to this crease on Tuesday for his first start since November 29th, 2024. The veteran 38-year-old goalie has put together an excellent career, posting a 2.65 GAA and .916 SV% in 621 career games (289-232-71). That said, in his most recent season, albeit a small sample size, Varlamov was pacing for one of the worst seasons of his career, posting a 2.89 GAA and .889 SV% in 10 appearances (3-4-3). The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as +130 road underdogs against a New York Rangers team on a three-game winning streak.

Sorokin was serviceable in his season-opening performance, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%), but fell short in a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old goalie had an up-and-down 2025-26 season under Head Coach Patrick Roy, posting a 2.68 GAA and .906 SV% in 55 games (29-24-2), and will hope to find more consistency under new bench boss Pete DeBoer. The Islanders enter Saturday's action at home with -105 odds against the New Jersey Devils.

Sorokin was serviceable in his season-opening performance, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%), but fell short in a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old goalie had an up-and-down 2025-26 season under Head Coach Patrick Roy, posting a 2.68 GAA and .906 SV% in 55 games (29-24-2), and will hope to find more consistency under new bench boss Pete DeBoer. The Islanders enter Saturday's action at home with -105 odds against the New Jersey Devils.

To no one's surprise, Ilya Sorokin was the first goalie off the ice at New York's final preseason practice, suggesting the 31-year-old will be the Islanders' opening-night starter when they take on the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Wednesday. Sorokin is entering his seventh NHL season and sixth as New York's starting netminder after posting a 29-24-2 record last season, along with a 2.68 GAA, .906 SV%, and league-leading seven shutouts.

Islanders' head coach Pete DeBoer said that Barzal is attending all of the meetings, but not on the ice yet. He said Barzal will be on the ice "around the corner," essentially ruling him out for Wednesday's season opener.