New York Islanders News

With Martin Necas (upper-body) and Stefan Noesen (illness) both unavailable on Friday, DeAngelo will get the opportunity to play for the first time since December 17th as the Hurricanes are forced into dressing seven defensemen against the Capitals. DeAngelo has two goals and seven assists in 20 games this season.

Vanecek has served as the backup to Nico Daws in two of the last three games, both wins for the Devils, but will return to the crease on Friday evening. Before allowing five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins in his last outings, Vanecek won two straight games, saving 48 of 53 shots in the process (.906 SV%). Vanecek and the Devils are overwhelming -432 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks club that has lost four straight, being outscored 15-2 in their last three (0-3-0).

Pelech has been out since November 24th but is nearing a return to the Islanders' lineup as he is now day-to-day with a possibility to dress Saturday vs. Vegas. The 29-year-old's presence has been a big miss from the Islanders' lineup as he had three assists, 17 PIMs and a +6 plus/minus in 16 games prior to his injury.

Heineman was reassigned to the Laval Rocket of the AHL last week but has been recalled by the Canadiens on an emergency basis. In 10 games with Laval, Heineman has six points (2G / 4A) and a -7 plus/minus rating.

Vanecek has served as the backup to Nico Daws in two of the last three games, both wins for the Devils, but will likely return to the crease on Friday evening. Before allowing five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins in his last outings, Vanecek won two straight games, saving 48 of 53 shots in the process (.906 SV%). Vanecek and the Devils are overwhelming -432 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks club that has lost four straight, being outscored 15-2 in their last three (0-3-0).

Varlamov left Tuesday's game against the Colorado Avalanche late in the first period due to an injury with the score being 1-1. He was replaced by Ilya Sorokin, who will likely start every game while Varlamov is unavailable. He will not dress on Thursday but is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

Hudson Fasching will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Martin to play for only the third time since November 16th. In his last two games, Martin averaged over 10 minutes per night, recorded a five-minute fighting major, fired four shots on goal, and four hits.

With Semyon Varlamov sidelined, the Islanders will rely on Sorokin even more than before as he will start for the fifth time in the last six games. Sorokin entered Tuesday's contest in relief of an injured Varlamov, allowing four goals on 27 shots (.852 SV%) in an eventual 5-4 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Sorokin had a light night in his last meeting against the Arizona Coyotes, saving all 14 shots he faced for a shutout victory. On Thursday, the Islanders are slight -108 road favourites against the Coyotes, who are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers.

Palat was a late scratch for Wednesday's game against the Capitals, with the team only announcing his absence about 30 minutes before puck drop. Palat has five goals and nine assists in 35 games this season. His next chance to return to the lineup will be on Friday when New Jersey hosts the Blackhawks.

Varlamov left the game late in the first period due to an undisclosed injury with the score being 1-1. He was replaced by Ilya Sorokin. We should expect to receive an update on Varlamov's injury and a possible timeline for his return following the completion of Tuesday's game.

Pierre Engvall's return to the lineup on Tuesday will result in Martin being a healthy scratch. In his last two games, Martin averaged over 10 minutes per night, recorded a five-minute fighting major, fired four shots on goal, and four hits.

Varlamov has not started a game since December 20th due in part to dealing with an undisclosed injury but will return to the crease on Tuesday against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche. Varlamov has been serviceable in limited action against his former team, posting a 3.07 GAA and .918 SV% in four games (2-2-0). That said, he has been average between the pipes lately, posting a .897 SV% in his last four outings (1-1-1). The Islanders are +163 road underdogs on Tuesday.

Matt Martin will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Engvall to return to the lineup after not playing in the last contest for the Islanders. Engvall is expected to play on the second line with Kyle Palmieri and a red-hot Brock Nelson. Engvall, however, has been ineffective offensively lately, scoring zero points in his last 10 games after scoring 11 (4G / 7A) in his previous 18.