New York Islanders News

The Islanders have lost four straight and will return to Sorokin between the pipes for the fourth time in the last five games. Sorokin allowed five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) in his last outing, a 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers, but was on a strong run before that, allowing three or fewer goals in eight straight (5-3-0), posting a respectable .913 SV%. The Islanders enter action as +138 home underdogs against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Drouin was a late scratch on Wednesday, with the team not announcing his absence until before warmups. Caleb Jones drew into the lineup on Wednesday as the Avalanche opted to dress seven defensemen. Drouin has six points (2G / 4A) in his last seven games.

Boqvist left Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators early in the first period after playing only 1:12 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. He managed to record an assist in his limited appearance, snapping a five-game pointless skid. Jake Christiansen was recalled from the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) as a potential replacement.

On the front end of a back-to-back, the Islanders will turn to Varlamov to tend the twine for only his second start in the last 10 games. Varlamov played well in his last outing, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 6-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks, snapping an eight-game winless skid (0-4-2) for the veteran netminder. After recording a season-best six-game winning streak, the Islanders have been outscored 7-0 in their last two games (0-2-0).

Bear will be the odd-man out on Thursday as the Capitals look to get fresh legs in the lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Alexander Alexeyev will draw into lineup in his place.

Boqvist left the game in the first period and was unable to return. We should expect to receive an update on his injury in the coming days.

Martin did not play in Monday's 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. Martin is riding a two-game point streak (0G / 2A) while averaging a fraction above 10 minutes of ice time.

Drouin was a late scratch on Wednesday, with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Caleb Jones will draw into the lineup as the Avs opt to dress seven defensemen.

The red-hot Islanders saw their six-game winning streak snapped on Monday in a 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, but will return to Sorokin between the pipes on Thursday. Sorokin played well in the loss, allowing only two goals on 24 shots (.917 SV%), but did not receive any goal support from his team. He has allowed three or fewer goals in seven straight games (6-2-0).

Martin did not play in Monday's 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings but has a chance to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres as he is a game-time decision. Martin is riding a two-game point streak (0G / 2A) while averaging a fraction above 10 minutes of ice time.

Beckman played the last three games for Minnesota but will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday. The 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A), four hits, and two blocks in three games.

Martin will be the odd-man out on Monday with Hudson Fasching drawing into the lineup in his place. Martin has two goals and three assists in 41 games this season.

Rittich has taken a backseat to Cam Talbot recently, serving as his backup in six straight, but will return to the crease on Monday in the Kings' first game since a 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars on Saturday. Rittich has played well when called upon this season, posting a 2.32 GAA and .914 SV% in 18 games (9-4-3) but allowed four goals on 31 shots (.871 SV%) in his last outing, a 4-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The Kings enter action as -148 home favourites against the New York Islanders.

Rittich has taken a backseat to Cam Talbot recently, serving as his backup in six straight, but will likely return to the crease on Monday in the Kings' first game since a 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars on Saturday. Rittich has played well when called upon this season, posting a 2.32 GAA and .914 SV% in 18 games (9-4-3) but allowed four goals on 31 shots (.871 SV%) in his last outing, a 4-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The Kings enter action as -148 home favourites against the New York Islanders.

Sorokin stopped 23 of 25 shots in the Islanders' win in San Jose on Thursday. It was the fifth consecutive victory for Sorokin, who has posted a .921 SV% during that stretch. After getting a breather on Sunday, he'll start the second-half of the Islanders' back-to-back in Los Angeles. The Islanders enter as +130 underdogs.