New York Islanders News

The Islanders have evenly split playing time between Semyon Varlamov and Sorokin through eight games this season and will continue the trend with an incoming back-to-back on Tuesday and Wednesday. Varlamov will start the tail end of the back-to-back on Wednesday and look to improve on a forgetful start to the 2024-25 season, posting an ugly 3.72 GAA and .854 SV% in four outings (1-2-1). The 36-year-old netminder is well off from his career average of 2.65 GAA and .916 SV%.

The Islanders have evenly split playing time between Semyon Varlamov and Sorokin through eight games this season and will continue the trend with an incoming back-to-back on Tuesday and Wednesday. Sorokin will start on Tuesday and look to improve on stellar totals early in the 2024-25 season, boasting a 1.74 GAA and .936 SV% in four outings (2-1-1). The Islanders will face off against an Anaheim Ducks club that has only scored 18 goals through eight games this season, fewest in the NHL.

After being the Islanders' starting goaltender in the first two games of the season, Varlamov has served as the backup to Ilya Sorokin in four of the last five games. Varlamov is expected to return to the starter's crease on Saturday, the tail end of a back-to-back, and search for his second victory of the season. The 36-year-old Varlamov, in his 17th NHL season, has started the 2024-25 season with undesirable results, showcasing a pedestrian 3.27 GAA and .868 SV% in three games (1-1-1).

After being the Islanders' starting goaltender in the first two games of the season, Varlamov has served as the backup to Ilya Sorokin in four of the last five games. Varlamov is expected to return to the starter's crease on Saturday, the tail end of a back-to-back, and search for his second victory of the season. The 36-year-old Varlamov, in his 17th NHL season, has started the 2024-25 season with undesirable results, showcasing a pedestrian 3.27 GAA and .868 SV% in three games (1-1-1).

Patrick Roy and the Islanders coaching staff will turn to Sorokin between the pipes on the front end of a back-to-back. After serving as the backup to Semyon Varlamov in the first two games of the season, Friday's start against the New Jersey Devils will make four starts for Sorokin in the last five games. The 29-year-old Sorokin has been excellent to start the 2024-25 season despite a modest 1-1-1 record, posting a stellar 1.34 GAA and .947 SV%. The Islanders enter action on Friday as +119 road underdogs against the Devils.

Only five games into his tenure as a New York Islander, Duclair has suffered a lower-body injury that will keep him sidelined for 4-6 weeks. 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.

The 27th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Ritchie will return to Oshawa after registering one goal and no assists in seven games with the Avalanche. Ritchie will play an integral role in his final OHL season with the Generals and is likely to play on Team Canada at the upcoming World Juniors.

Scott Perunovich will make his season debut on Thurday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, sending Kessel to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Kessel has seen limited time, averaging 11:58 time-on-ice through six games, while primarily playing on the Blues' third defensive pair.

With Julie Gauthier cleared waivers on Monday, the Islanders have recalled Foudy from Bridgeport (AHL). The 24-year-old Foudy was the 18th overall pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He played 62 games with the Blue Jackets in the 2022-23 season, scoring 14 points (7G / 7A), but has primarily been an AHL player.

The Islanders will turn to Sorokin between the pipes on Tuesday evening against the Detroit Red Wings. Despite two tremendous outings, Patrick Roy and the Islanders' coaching staff continue to be very liberal in their goaltending rotation between Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov. In two contests (1-0-1), Sorokin boasts a gaudy 1.48 GAA and .953 SV%. After an uncharacteristic 2023-24 campaign, he seems on track to return to the form that made him a Vezina-trophy runner-up in the 2022-23 season.

Only five games into his tenure as a New York Islander, Duclair has suffered an undisclosed injury that will keep him sidelined indefinitely. 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.