New York Islanders News

On the back end of a back-to-back, the Islanders will likely turn to Varlamov after a 3-1 victory against the Edmonton Oilers last night courtesy of a strong performance from Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin has been active between the pipes for the Islanders this season, starting three of the last seven games. That said, his 2.73 GAA and .919 SV% are inflated by a strong start, as he has allowed three or more goals in each of his last eight contests (4-3-1), posting a .897 SV%. The Islanders are slight +102 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team that has only scored two combined goals in their last two games (1-1-0).

Matt Martin has not played since November 15th and will remain on the injured reserve with an upper-body injury. In 14 games this season, Martin had two points (1G / 1A) and 31 hits while averaging 8:27 time-on-ice., the lowest total of his career since averaging 7:59 in the 2017-18 season.

On the back end of a back-to-back, the Islanders will likely turn to Varlamov after a 3-1 victory against the Edmonton Oilers last night courtesy of a strong performance from Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin has been active between the pipes for the Islanders this season, starting three of the last seven games. That said, his 2.73 GAA and .919 SV% are inflated by a strong start, as he has allowed three or more goals in each of his last eight contests (4-3-1), posting a .897 SV%. The Islanders are slight +102 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team that has only scored two combined goals in their last two games (1-1-0).

Akira Schmid started each of the last two games for the Devils, a back-to-back set, as Vanecek was unable to play due to an illness. That said, he was in the starter's crease at Tuesday's morning skate, indicating he will return to net against the Philadelphia Flyers. Vanecek has struggled with consistency this season but is amid his best two-game stretch (2-0-0), allowing only three goals on a combined 49 shots (.939 SV%). The Devils are coming off a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks and are -159 home favourites against a Flyers team with points in eight straight contests (6-0-2).

With the return of Andrei Svechnikov, Carolina will return to a standard 12/6 lineup and Tony DeAngelo will be the odd man out and a healthy scratch Tuesday vs. Vegas. The 28-year-old has enjoyed a solid return to Carolina after signing a one-year contract in the offseason, with two goals, nine points, 33 SOG, 14 PIMs and a -10 plus/minus in 20 games played this season.

Duclair was a healthy scratch in the Sharks' 6-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday but will return to the lineup Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Kings. Duclair has played predominantly with Mikael Granlund and Fabian Zetterlund, scoring 11 points (6G / 5A) in 27 games this season.

After alternating starts with Semyon Varlamov over the last week, Sorokin will start for the third time in the last five games for the Islanders. Sorokin has struggled to string together quality starts this season, never recording more than two in a row. After allowing four goals on 34 shots (.882 SV%) in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins in his last outing, he will be hard-pressed to regain his footing against the high-flying Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. The Islanders are +121 home underdogs against an Oilers team that has lost two straight but previously won eight games in a row.

Akira Schmid started each of the last two games for the Devils, a back-to-back set, as Vanecek was unable to play due to an illness. That said, he was in the starter's crease at Tuesday's morning skate, indicating he will likely return to net against the Philadelphia Flyers. Vanecek has struggled with consistency this season but is amid his best two-game stretch (2-0-0), allowing only three goals on a combined 49 shots (.939 SV%). The Devils are coming off a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks and are -159 home favourites against a Flyers team with points in eight straight contests (6-0-2).

After alternating starts with Semyon Varlamov over the last week, Sorokin will likely start for the third time in the last five games for the Islanders. Sorokin has struggled to string together quality starts this season, never recording more than two in a row. After allowing four goals on 34 shots (.882 SV%) in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins in his last outing, he will be hard-pressed to regain his footing against the high-flying Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. The Islanders are +121 home underdogs against an Oilers team that has lost two straight but previously won eight games in a row.

Mayfield has four assists, 17 PIMs, 19 SOG, and a -1 plus/minus in 20 games played this season but has been placed on the injured reserve and will not be available to return until December 19th against the Edmonton Oilers at the earliest. The 31-year-old bruising defenseman was replaced by Sebastian Aho (upper body) on Wednesday, who returned after an eight-game absence.

Sorokin has won two straight games and will return to the crease on Friday after serving as the backup in their previous game on Wednesday. Sorokin has won consecutive games only one other time this season and has yet to record three straight victories. The Islanders as a whole are playing their best hockey of the season, riding a season-best four-game winning streak. That said, they are slight +102 home underdogs against a Boston Bruins team that has scored more than three goals only once in their last four games (2-1-1).

Sorokin has won two straight games and will likely return to the crease on Friday after serving as the backup in their previous game on Wednesday. Sorokin has won consecutive games only one other time this season and has yet to record three straight victories. The Islanders as a whole are playing their best hockey of the season, riding a season-best four-game winning streak. That said, they are slight +102 home underdogs against a Boston Bruins team that has scored more than three goals only once in their last four games (2-1-1).

Chaffee was reassigned to the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL, suggesting that Conor Sheary will likely be activated off of long-term injured reserve soon. Chaffee played his first game of the season on December 12th, recording a -1 plus/minus and two hits in 6:56 time-on-ice.

The Devils' goaltending carousel will continue Wednesday as Vitek Vanecek gets his second-start in three games Wednesday vs. Boston. The 27-year-old netminder has struggled mightily this season despite his decent 10-5-0 record, as he has a 3.49 GAA And .879 SV%. He hosts the surging Boston Bruins, who have won four of their last five games and are 11th in the NHL in goals per game.

Heineman had a goal, three assists, eight PIMs and a -6 plus/minus in seven games with Laval (AHL) and has earned his first call up to Montreal Wednesday after it was announced that Tanner Pearson (upper body) would be placed on the Injured Reserve. Heineman is 22-year-old and has yet to play an NHL game after making his North American debut with Laval in 2022-23 after four seasons with Leksands IF (SHL) in Sweden.

Varlamov will get his first start in three games but will look to extend a three-game winning streak after beating Columbus in a 32 save win (.914 SV%) in his last start. The 35-year-old veteran backup has been sensational in his 16 NHL seasons, with his 5-3-1 record, 2.55 GAA And .925 SV%. The Islanders will host the Ducks Wednesday, who is looking to snap a three-game losing streak and are 28th in the NHL in goals per game (2.59).

The Devils' goaltending carousel will continue Wednesday as Vitek Vanecek gets his second-start in three games Wednesday vs. Boston. The 27-year-old netminder has struggled mightily this season despite his decent 10-5-0 record, as he has a 3.49 GAA And .879 SV%. He hosts the surging Boston Bruins, who have won four of their last five games and are 11th in the NHL in goals per game.