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.
Varlamov had been on the ice taking shots recently but suffered a setback and is out indefinitely. Varlamov has been out since November 29th and does not have a timeline for his return.
Duclair missed the Islanders' morning skate and head coach Patrick Roy does not expect him to play vs. the Lightning. Look for Maxim Tsyplakov to move back up the lineup and for Pierre Engvall to re-enter the lineup to replace Duclair.
Kessel will make his first appearance since December 12th, filling for Colton Parayko, who was late scratch on Friday due to an illness. Kessel has no goals and three assists in 26 games this season.
Kessel spent the first part of the season in St. Louis, playing 26 games with the Blues, but has been in the AHL since mid December. The 24-year-old defenseman has 11 points (4G / 7A) in 17 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL).
With the recent acquisitions of Tony DeAngelo, Scott Perunovich, and Adam Boqvist, George has been assigned to the Bridgeport Islanders (AHL). The 20-year-old George is averaging 15:39 and has five points (1G / 4A) in 33 games this season.
The Islanders are riding a season-best five-game winning streak and will roll with Sorokin between the pipes on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Sorokin was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche. The 29-year-old netminder has been stellar lately, posting a .944 SV% in his last six games (5-1-0). The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as -119 road favorites against a Flyers squad that suffered a disappointing 5-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils last night.
The Islanders are riding a season-best five-game winning streak and will likely roll with Sorokin between the pipes on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Sorokin was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche. The 29-year-old netminder has been stellar lately, posting a .944 SV% in his last six games (5-1-0). The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as -119 road favorites against a Flyers squad that suffered a disappointing 5-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils last night.
Utah HC head coach Andre Tourigny refused to provide insight on Maccelli being a healthy scratch other than it being an "internal decision." The 24-year-old Maccelli is averaging 13:58 time-on-ice and has 17 points (8G / 9A) in 48 games this season. Michael Carcone will draw into the lineup as Maccelli's replacement.
Vanecek has not played since suffering an upper-body injury on December 14th and will spend some time in the AHL on a conditioning stint with the San Jose Barracuda. Before his injury, the 29-year-old Czech netminder was sporting a 3.84 GAA and .885 SV% in 14 appearances (3-8-1).
