Ethan Bear will be a healthy scratch on Friday as Nick Jensen returns from a two-game absence due to an illness. Bear played 15:58 time-on-ice in the Capitals 8-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, registering a -1 plus/minus, two penalty minutes, and one shot on goal.
Boqvist will head to the press box on Thursday as a healthy scratch as Andrew Peeke takes his spot in the Blue Jackets lineup. The 23-year-old offensive defenseman has struggled to catch his footing all season as he's battled multiple injuries which has led to a disappointing one goal, eight points and -8 plus/minus through 28 games this season.
Sorokin will tend the twine on Thursday for the third straight game, facing a Detroit Red Wings club that has outscored their opposition 28-10 during a six-game winning streak. Sorokin was excellent in his last outing, saving 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Dallas Stars. The Islanders enter action as slight +102 road underdogs.
Rittich will return to the Kings' crease for the third straight game on Monday. The Czech netminder has been terrific for the Kings this season, posting a 2.21 GAA and .917 SV% in 17 games (9-3-3), including saving 22 of 24 shots (.917 SV%) in his last outing, a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. The Kings enter action as +138 road underdogs against the Edmonton Oilers.
Rittich will likely return to the Kings' crease for the third straight game on Monday. The Czech netminder has been terrific for the Kings this season, posting a 2.21 GAA and .917 SV% in 17 games (9-3-3), including saving 22 of 24 shots (.917 SV%) in his last outing, a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. The Kings enter action as +138 road underdogs against the Edmonton Oilers.
On Monday evening, Sorokin will return to the starter's crease for the fifth time in the last six games. The 28-year-old netminder allowed three or more goals in three straight (1-1-1) and three goals on 20 shots (.850 SV%) in his last outing, a 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was spectacular in his last contest against the Dallas Stars five weeks ago, saving 41 of 43 shots (.953 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime victory.
The Kings will turn back to Rittich after Cam Talbot got the nod in each of the team's last two games. Rittich secured a victory his last time out, allowing four goals on 32 shots as Los Angeles held on to defeat the Bruins by a score of 5-4. Rittich owns an impressive .919 SV% and 2.25 GAA on the season to go along with his 8-2-3 record. He draws a solid matchup on Thursday, with the Kings being -160 favourites to pick up the win over the visiting Predators.
The Kings will likely turn back to Rittich after Cam Talbot got the nod in each of the team's last two games. Rittich secured a victory his last time out, allowing four goals on 32 shots as Los Angeles held on to defeat the Bruins by a score of 5-4. Rittich owns an impressive .919 SV% and 2.25 GAA on the season to go along with his 8-2-3 record. He draws a solid matchup on Thursday, with the Kings being -160 favourites to pick up the win over the visiting Predators.
Varlamov has only played once in the last six games but will return to the crease for the Islanders on Thursday night. After a terrific start to the season, Varlamov has struggled lately, failing to record a victory in seven straight outings (0-3-2), and has allowed three or more goals in three straight (0-2-1) while posting a .882 SV%. That said, the Islanders are coming off a 5-4 overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins and are slight -114 road favourites entering action against the St. Louis Blues.
Cizikas was limited to only 8:31 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins before exiting the game with an undisclosed injury. The Islanders' next game is on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues.
