Cizikas is expected to miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury, but the Islanders are hopeful that he will return to the lineup next week. With Cizikas out again, Anthony Beauvillier will likely remain in the lineup on Friday.
Varlamov allowed five goals on 24 shots in Colorado’s loss in Nashville on November 18th. The Russian netminder has missed the last four games with an illness but will return to the crease tonight vs. the Jets. Varlamov has gone 4-0-1 with a 3.00 GAA and .918 SV% at the Pepsi Center this season but he’ll face a Jets team that has won seven of their last nine.
Varlamov missed the last four games with an illness, but says he’s ready to go and will be available on Wednesday. Jonathan Bernier filed in pretty well for Varlamov, going 2-1-1 while allowing just eight goals on 107 shots (.925 SV%), but if Varlamov is available he will likely start vs. the Jets.
Islanders head coach Doug Weight said that he doesn’t think Cizikas’ injury is serious but it looks like he will miss some time and could be out for up to one week. With Cizikas out, Anthony Beauvillier figures to play on Tuesday.
Rittich is a 25-year-old goaltender that came over from the Czech Republic last year and started 31 games for Stockton (AHL). In six starts with the Heat this season, Rittich has gone 5-1-0 with a 2.17 GAA and .931 SV%, leading to him replacing the struggling Eddie Lack as Mike Smith’s backup. Rittich will make his first NHL start tonight and it will come against an Avalanche team that is averaging 3.33 goals per for.
Martin was a healthy scratch for the first time in his career last night in Carolina, but will draw back into the lineup tonight vs. Washington. Martin, who has just seven points (1G / 6A) in 22 games this season and will replace Josh Leivo tonight.
Pulock and Thomas Hickey have been playing together, but the pairing will come out of the lineup tonight to allow Scott Mayfield and Dennis Seidenberg to play for the first time in a few games.
Mayfield will replace Thomas Hickey on the Islanders blueline as they continue to rotate this third pairing from time-to-time. Mayfield has been a healthy scratch for the last three games but returns with two goals and two assists (four points) in 12 games this season.
Clutterbuck has missed the last two games with an illness but will replace Alan Quine in the lineup tonight vs. the Flyers. Clutterbuck has seven points (3G / 4A), 23 shots but most importantly 45 hits in 15 games this season.
Palmieri can’t seem to catch a break as he will miss at least one month with a broken foot, just a few weeks after returning to the lineup from another lower-body injury. This is going to be a tough blow for the Devils to overcome.
Varlamov turned aside 28 of 30 shots in Colorado’s win over the Capitals on Thursday. Varlamov has won three of his last four starts despite allowing at least three goals in three of those games. He doesn’t have the best numbers but he’s been able to record seven wins in 11 starts this season, but will be in tough against a great home team in Nashville.
Varlamov surrendered four goals on 32 shots in Colorado’s loss to Ottawa in Sweden last Friday. With the loss, Varlamov moves to 6-3-1 with a 3.18 GAA and .908 SV% on the season and tonight he gets a chance to face his former team on home ice, where he is 3-0-1 with a 3.24 GAA and .914 SV% this season.
Mayfield appeared in the last four games, but Thomas Hickey will take his spot in the lineup tonight vs. the Hurricanes. Mayfield has had a solid start to the season, registering four points (2G / 2A), 16 shots and 16 blocks in 12 games, but is the victim of a numbers game tonight.
Pulock was a healthy scratch in St. Louis on Saturday, but will be back in the lineup tonight vs. the Hurricanes. Pulock has one goal, one assist and 11 shots on goal in his last six games.
Varlamov allowed four goals on 37 shots in Colorado’s win in Philadelphia last Saturday. Varlamov was given the following night off so he is well rested to kick-off the NHL’s Global Series today in Sweden. Varlamov has won three of his last four starts despite posting an ugly 4.17 GAA and .890 SV%.
Varlamov made an absurd 57 saves on 60 shots in Colorado’s win over the Hurricanes on Thursday. It was an extremely impressive outing for Varlamov, who has been volatile so far this season. Tonight he faces a Flyers team that has lost four of their last six (2-3-1) while averaging just 2.50 goals per game.
Duclair has been a healthy scratch for the last two games, but will get back into the lineup tonight vs. the Sabres. Duclair has had a tough start to the season, recording just five points (3G / 2A) in 11 games this season.
