New York Islanders News

The Islanders' defensive woes continued with David Rittich tending the twine in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Islanders. The team will flip the script on the tail end of their back-to-back, turning to Sorokin between the pipes on Friday against the Washington Capitals. That said, the Islanders haven't fared much better with Sorokin. The 30-year-old Sorokin is off to a forgetful start, posting an ugly 3.75 GAA and .868 SV% in seven games (2-4-1). The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as +187 road underdogs against a 6-4-0 Capitals team.

Rittich has seen limited action this season, but when called upon, he has outplayed starting netminder Ilya Sorokin, who is sporting an ugly 3.75 GAA and .868 SV% in seven games (2-4-1). The 33-year-old Rittich has an excellent 2.01 GAA and .940 SV% through two games this season (2-0-0) and could earn himself some extra playing time with another strong performance. That said, the Islanders enter Thursday's contest as +188 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes team off to a 6-3-0 start to the season.

After losing their first three games to start the season (0-3-0), the Islanders have points in five straight (4-0-1). Despite their recent surge in play, the Islanders are still hoping for another level out of Sorokin between the pipes. The 30-year-old netminder is off to a lackluster start to the season, posting an unspectacular 3.70 GAA and .875 SV% in six outings (2-3-1). He returns to the crease on Tuesday against a Boston Bruins team on the tail end of a back-to-back.

Warren was drafted in the sixth round (166 overall) by the Minnesota Wild in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old defenseman has spent the previous three seasons in the AHL and has five points (2G / 3A) in four games with the Bridgeport Islanders in 2025-26.

Highmore came flying out of the gate with Bridgeport (AHL) to start this season, picking up four assists in his first four games. He earned himself an NHL call-up but did not draw into the Islanders' lineup, and has been sent back down to the AHL. The 29-year-old is expected to provide some forward depth for the Islanders after he appeared in 41 games with Ottawa in 2024-25, picking up two goals and six points.

With Marc Gatcomb clearing waivers and being sent to Bridgeport (AHL) , New York has recalled Marshall Warren in a corresponding move. The 24-year-old defensemen has yet to appear in the NHL after joining the Islanders from the University of Michigan (NCAA) in 2023-24. He's earned his promotion due to his hot start to begin 2025-26, with two goals and five points in four games with Bridgeport.

Highmore came flying out of the gate with Bridgeport (AHL) to start this season, picking up four assists in his first four games and has earned himself his first promotion to the Islanders on Thursday.The 29-year-old is expected to provide some forward depth for the Islanders after he appeared in 41 games with Ottawa in 2024-25, picking up two goals and six points.

Gatcomb drew into the Islanders lineup in the second game of the season, replacing a suspended Jonathan Drouin, but has not played since. The 26-year-old cleared waivers on Thursday and will report to the Bridgeport Islanders (AHL), where he will have more exposure to playing time.

Six game into his NHL career, Shabanov has been effective in a sheltered role, scoring three points (1G / 2) while averaging only 11:43 time-on-ice. The 25-year-old Russian forward is coming off a sensational season with Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL) where he had 23 goals and 67 points in 65 games played. He will not play on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings.

Six game into his NHL career, Shabanov has been effective in a sheltered role, scoring three points (1G / 2) while averaging only 11:43 time-on-ice. The 25-year-old Russian forward is coming off a sensational season with Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL) where he had 23 goals and 67 points in 65 games played. He will be a game-time decision on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings.

Engvall had offseason hip surgery and just underwent ankle surgery, likely sidelining him for the remainder of the regular season. The 29-year-old Engvall is the third year of a seven-year contract worth $21 million ($3.0M AAV). He had 15 points (8G / 7A) in 62 games with the Islanders last season.

Romanov did not play in the Islanders' previous game, but he was back at practice on Monday and appears to be nearing a return. That said, he will miss at least one more game, starting with Tuesday's contest against the San Jose Sharks. The 25-year-old Romanov has 12 blocks and 15 hits through four games this season.

Romanov did not play in the Islanders' previous game, but he was back at practice on Monday. The 25-year-old Romanov has 12 blocks and 15 hits through four games this season. He will be a game-time decision when the Islanders return to action on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks.

Rittich has only played once this season, but he was instrumental in an impressive 4-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers, saving 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%). In the five games that Rittich has not played, the Islanders are allowing 4.0 goals per game. The 33-year-old Rittich returns to the crease on Thursday against a red-hot Detroit Red Wings team on the tail end of a back-to-back, hoping to build off his strong start to the 2025-26 season.

The Islanders are off to a 2-3-0 start to the 2025-26 season and have relied heavily on Ilya Sorokin, but he has not been able to consistently deliver when called upon. The 30-year-old Sorokin has an alarming 4.13 GAA and .861 SV% in four games this season (1-3-0). Sorokin and the Islanders hope to rebound on Tuesday when they face-off against the San Jose Sharks, the only team in the NHL yet to record a victory (0-3-2).

Romanov did not play in the Islanders' previous game, but he was back at practice on Monday. The 25-year-old Romanov has 12 blocks and 15 hits through four games this season. The Islanders return to action on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks.

Boqvist played in 17 games with the Islanders last season, tallying two goals and six assists (eight points). He will draw into the lineup on Saturday because Alexander Romanov is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Romanov missed Friday's practice and will not play in Saturday's game vs. the Senators. With Romanov day-to-day, Adam Boqvist will make his season debut on Saturday.

The Islanders have struggled to score goals early in the 2025-26 season, outscored 7-13 in three games (0-3-0), and will attempt a shake-up, sending Tsyplakov to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old forward scored 35 points (10G / 25A) playing 77 games with the Islanders in his first NHL season in 2024-25.