New York Islanders News

Heineman suffered an upper-body injury after being involved in a traffic accident in mid January and missed 14 consecutive games leading up to the break for the 4-Nations Face Off. The 23-year-old has been impressive in his rookie season, averaging 11:09 time-on-ice and scoring 17 points (10G / 7A) in 41 games.

Mayfield missed the final four games before the 4Nations break but has been skating since last week and told reporters he's ready to play Sunday. Head coach Patrick Roy did not confirm Mayfield will play, but it seems likely that he'll be officially cleared before Sunday.

The Islanders have won eight of their last nine (8-1-0) and will turn to Sorokin between the pipes on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Sorokin was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 33 of 34 shots (.971 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. The 29-year-old netminder has an outstanding .952 SV% and two shutouts in his last nine games (8-1-0).

Vanecek has not played an NHL game since suffering an upper-body injury on December 14th but will return to the crease on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. In a brief conditioning stint with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL), Vanecek posted a 2.00 GAA and .917 SV% in one game (1-0-0). He has a 3.84 GAA and .885 SV% in 14 appearances with the Sharks this season (3-8-1). The Sharks enter Thursday's contest as +182 home underdogs against a Canucks squad coming off an impressive 3-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche.

Vanecek has not played an NHL game since suffering an upper-body injury on December 14th but will likely return to the crease on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. In a brief conditioning stint with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL), Vanecek posted a 2.00 GAA and .917 SV% in one game (1-0-0). He has a 3.84 GAA and .885 SV% in 14 appearances with the Sharks this season (3-8-1). The Sharks enter Thursday's contest as +182 home underdogs against a Canucks squad coming off an impressive 3-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche.

Lawson Crouse will draw back into Utah's lineup on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, resulting in Maccelli being a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Maccelli zero points in his last five game and will be a healthy scratch for the second time in the last two weeks.

The Islanders have won eight of their last nine (8-1-0) and will likely turn to Sorokin between the pipes on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Sorokin was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 33 of 34 shots (.971 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. The 29-year-old netminder has an outstanding .952 SV% and two shutouts in his last nine games (8-1-0).

The Islanders' seven-game win streak snapped in their most recent outing, a 6-3 loss to the Florida Panthers, with Sorokin serving as the team's backup, but he will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 29-year-old Sorokin has been tremendous lately, allowing two or fewer goals in seven of his last eight (7-1-0) and posting a stellar .949 SV%. The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as +133 home underdogs against a Golden Knights club amid a three-game losing skid (0-1-2).

Mayfield exited Saturday's 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning after only 10:03 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury and did not play on Sunday. The 32-year-old Mayfield is averaging 17:33 time-on-ice and has seven points (2G / 5A) in 50 games this season. The Islanders return to action on Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Barzal did not play in New York's 6-3 loss to the Florida Panthers on Sunday and will be sidelined indefinitely due to a lower-body injury. The 27-year-old Barzal has already missed significant time this season due to injuries and has only played 30 games, scoring 20 points (6G / 14A).

Kessel has spent most of the 2024-25 season with the Blues, scoring three points (0G / 3A) in 27 games, but has been assigned to the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL). The 24-year-old has 11 points (4G / 7A) in 17 games with Springfield.