New York Islanders News

On the final day before the holiday break, the Islanders will roll with Sorokin between the pipes for an 11th straight game. Sorokin saved 26 of 29 shots (.897 SV%) in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 29-year-old netminder has a 2.82 GAA and .903 SV% in 24 games this season (10-10-4), tarnished by his .856 SV% in his last four games (2-2-0). The Islanders enter Monday's contest as -147 home favorites against a reeling Buffalo Sabres squad amid a 13-game losing skid (0-10-3).

Duclair has not played since suffering a lower-body injury in mid-October but could return to the lineup on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 30-year-old Duclair was signed in the offseason to add an offensive punch to a typically low-scoring Islanders club and was off to a solid start before his injury, with three points (2G / 1A) in five games.

Duclair has not played since suffering a lower-body injury in mid-October but could return to the lineup on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 30-year-old Duclair was signed in the offseason to add an offensive punch to a typically low-scoring Islanders club and was off to a solid start, with three points (2G / 1A) in five games.

Marcus Hodberg has served as the backup to Ilya Sorokin the last several games, a trend that will continue until the new year as Varlamov will not be eligible to return until, at earliest, January 5th against the Boston Bruins. The 36-year-old Varlamov owns a 3-4-3 record and an .889 SV% in ten games this season.

Horvat did not play on Sunday but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 29-year-old Horvat is averaging 20:13 time-on-ice, scoring 22 points (8G / 14A) in 31 games this season.

Martin has been a regular in the lineup lately but will be a healthy scratch for only the second time since November 7th. The 35-year-old Martin is averaging 8:10 time-on-ice, recording one point (0G / 1A) and 56 hits in 20 games.

Horvat did not play on Sunday but could return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 29-year-old Horvat is averaging 20:13 time-on-ice, scoring 22 points (8G / 14A) in 31 games this season.

With Semyon Varlamov (lower body) still away from the team, the Islanders will roll with Sorokin between the pipes for a ninth consecutive game. Sorokin struggled in his previous outing, allowing four goals on 22 shots (.818 SV%) in a disappointing 5-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. The 29-year-old netminder has a 2.71 GAA and .906 SV% in 22 games (9-9-4) and has battled adversity lately, allowing three or more goals in four of his last six (3-3-0), posting an ugly .878 SV%. The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as +193 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes club that is 5-5-0 in their last 10.