Sorokin will likely start for the fourth consecutive game on Saturday and attempt to secure a third straight win for the Islanders. Sorokin saved 22 of 25 shots (.880 SV%) in a back-and-forth 5-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.
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.
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.
With Justin Faulk being activated from LTIR, Kessel has been reassigned to the Springfield Thunderbirds of the AHL. Kessel registered two assists while averaging 17:25 time-on-ice through 22 games with the Blues.
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.
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.
MacLean played six games with the Islanders earlier this season, scoring one goal during that stint. The undrafted 24-year-old has earned himself another call-up due to solid play in the AHL, tallying 22 points (6G / 16A) in 43 games with the Bridgeport Islanders.
Vanecek was excellent in a losing effort in his last outing, allowing one goal on 32 shots (.969 SV%) in a 1-0 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes but was surprisingly sidelined after with a lower-body injury. Nico Daws has started each game in Vanecek's absence and has done an admirable job filling in between the pipes.
The Islanders will return to Sorokin on Tuesday night for his third straight start. Sorokin struggled in his last outing at the Stadium Series against the New York Rangers on Sunday, allowing two goals in the final five minutes en route to an eventual 6-5 overtime loss. Before that, Sorokin was amid one of his best stretches of the season, allowing three or fewer goals in five straight games (3-1-1), boasting an impressive .936 SV%. The Islanders enter action as +117 road underdogs against a struggling Pittsburgh Penguins team.
The Islanders will return to Sorokin on Tuesday night for his third straight start. Sorokin struggled in his last outing at the Stadium Series against the New York Rangers on Sunday, allowing two goals in the final five minutes en route to an eventual 6-5 overtime loss. Before that, Sorokin was amid one of his best stretches of the season, allowing three or fewer goals in five straight games (3-1-1), boasting an impressive .936 SV%. The Islanders enter action as +117 road underdogs against a struggling Pittsburgh Penguins team.
Bear played four straight games for the Capitals before being a healthy scratch on Saturday but will return to the lineup on Tuesday night. In his last four games, Bear has zero points, one shot, and five hits while averaging less than 14 minutes of time-on-ice.
