Cizikas was a late scratch for Friday's game with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. The Islanders' fourth-line centre has five goals and five assists in 34 games this season. Matt Martin will draw into the lineup in his place.
Gauthier has missed two of the last three games but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals. 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 15 games.
Varlamov entered Wednesday's 7-0 blowout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in relief of Ilya Sorokin in the third period, allowing one goal on seven shots (.857 SV%). However, he was absent from practice on Thursday, dealing with an undisclosed injury, and is considered day-to-day, expected to miss Friday's contest against the Washington Capitals. The Islanders recalled Ken Appleby from Bridgeport (AHL), who will likely serve as the backup to Sorokin if Varlamov is unable to suit up on Friday.
With Semyon Varlamov battling an undisclosed injury, Lane Lambert and the Islanders coaching staff have an easy decision turning back to Sorokin between the pipes, despite his porous performance in their previous outings. On Wednesday, Sorokin allowed six goals on 25 shots (.760 SV%) in an eventual 7-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Islanders, -147 home favourites, are 1-1-1 against the Capitals this season, but Friday will mark Sorokin's first appearance against them this season.
Varlamov entered Wednesday's 7-0 blowout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in relief of Ilya Sorokin in the third period, allowing one goal on seven shots (.857 SV%). However, he was absent from practice on Thursday, dealing with an undisclosed injury, and is considered day-to-day ahead of Friday's contest against the Washington Capitals. The Islanders recalled Ken Appleby from Bridgeport (AHL), who will likely serve as the backup to Sorokin if Varlamov is unable to suit up on Friday.
Sorokin has won two straight games for the Islanders and will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. After a sluggish start to the season, including a five-game winless skid, Sorokin seems to be righting the ship, collecting at least a point in seven straight games (5-0-2) while posting a respectable .916 SV%. The Islanders are slight -114 home favourites against the Penguins, who came up short in their last game before the Christmas break, losing 5-4 to the Ottawa Senators in overtime.
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.
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.
