The Islanders lost both Pelech and Sebastian Aho on Friday, and both are questionable to play Saturday. Depending on their availability, the Islanders may be forced to make some roster moves in order to have six defensemen.
Vanecek allowed four goals on 28 shots in the Devils' loss in Detroit on Wednesday. Vanecek has struggled in his last five outings, going 1-3-0 with an .860 SV%. Tonight he'll face the Sabres, as -166 home favourites. Buffalo come in ranking 24th in the NHL in GF/60 (2.83).
Varlamov will be the starting goalie on the front end of a back-to-back for the Islanders on Friday. Despite a 2-3-1 record, Varlamov has been terrific when called upon this season, posting a 2.18 GAA and .934 SV% along with two shutouts. The Islanders are +118 road underdogs against the Ottawa Senators but have momentum on their side as they look for their third consecutive victory after overcoming a season-worst seven-game losing skid (0-4-3).
Varlamov appears to be the starting goalie on the front end of a back-to-back for the Islanders on Friday. Despite a 2-3-1 record, Varlamov has been terrific when called upon this season, posting a 2.18 GAA and .934 SV% along with two shutouts. The Islanders are +118 road underdogs against the Ottawa Senators but have momentum on their side as they look for their third consecutive victory after overcoming a season-worst seven-game losing skid (0-4-3).
The Devils will turn to Vanecek in Detroit on Wednesday for the third consecutive game. Vanecek allowed four goals on 34 shots enroute to a 5-3 defeat to the Rangers on Saturday. Vanecek has been inconsistent at best this season, but backup Akira Schmid's struggles have allowed Vanecek to retain a firm grip on the starting job. The 28-year-old netminder owns a 7-4-0 record on the season along with an .889 SV% and a 3.38 GAA. He draws a favourable matchup on Wednesday with the Devils being -160 road favourites over the Red Wings.
Sorokin saved 35 of 39 shots (.897 SV%) on Saturday, helping the Islanders snap a season-worst seven-game losing skid, and will likely start again on Wednesday. Last year's Vezina-runner-up has performed well below his expectations thus far, posting a 3.32 GAA and .906 SV% through 11 games (4-3-4). The Islanders will hope his most recent win sparks a string of good play for a team that has otherwise been reeling in the wrong direction and, as -147 home favourites against the Philadelphia Flyers, look poised to do so on Wednesday night.
Sorokin saved 35 of 39 shots (.897 SV%) on Saturday, helping the Islanders snap a season-worst seven-game losing skid, and will likely start again on Wednesday. Last year's Vezina-runner-up has performed well below his expectations thus far, posting a 3.32 GAA and .906 SV% through 11 games (4-3-4). The Islanders will hope his most recent win sparks a string of good play for a team that has otherwise been reeling in the wrong direction and, as -147 home favourites against the Philadelphia Flyers, look poised to do so on Wednesday night.
Foudy did not play in the Predators' most recent game on Saturday but will return to the lineup on Monday, likely skating on the third line with Yakov Trenin and Colton Sissons. Since joining the Predators in October, Foudy has scored two points (0G / 2A) while averaging 9:44 time-on-ice through eight games.
Sorokin will return to the Islanders' crease on Saturday after Semyon Varlamov got the call in Thursday's 4-3 loss in Seattle. Sorokin last appeared in Wednesday's game in Vancouver, allowing four goals on 43 shots in the 4-3 overtime loss. Sorokin is off to a relatively slow start to his 2023-24 season, registering a 3-3-4 record to go along with his .907 SV% and 3.28 GAA. He and the Islanders are slight road underdogs at +120 tonight in Calgary.
The Devils will turn to Vanecek for the second straight game after he allowed just two goals on 23 shots in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Penguins. Given the struggles of Akira Schmid, Vanecek has been just solid enough to maintain a firm grasp on the Devils' starting job. He owns an impressive 7-3-0 record on the season despite an .889 SV% and a 3.30 GAA. Vanecek and the Devils are very slight home favourites (-120) to secure a victory over the Rangers on Saturday.
Maccelli exited Thursday's game with an upper-body injury after playing only 6:04 time-on-ice but seems to have avoided a serious injury. The talented Finnish winger has been having a solid season with the Coyotes, totalling 11 points (2G / 9A) in 16 games while primarily playing Nick Bjugstad and Lawson Crouse on the Coyotes' second line.
Maccelli exited Thursday's game with an upper-body injury after playing only 6:04 time-on-ice. The talented Finnish winger has been having a solid season with the Coyotes, totalling 11 points (2G / 9A) in 16 games while primarily playing Nick Bjugstad and Lawson Crouse on the Coyotes' second line.
Martin will sit in favour of Hudson Fasching, who will take Martin's spot alongside Cody Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck on the Islanders' fourth line. Martin has one goal, one assist, and 31 hits in 14 games this season.
Varlamov will start on Thursday and attempt to help the Islanders snap their six-game losing streak (0-4-2). The Islanders have not won since November 2nd when Varlamov was forced to be perfect, pitching a 32-save shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Washington Capitals. Despite a tremendous 2.04 GAA and .940 SV% through six games (2-3-0), Varlamov has struggled in his last two games (0-2-0), allowing seven goals on 58 shots (.879 SV%). Last season, the Islanders ranked fifth in the league defensively (2.65 GA / GP), a far cry from their mid-pack ranking this season (3.20 GA / GP). That said, as slight +100 road underdogs, the Islanders will hope to get things back on track, taking on the fourth-lowest scoring team in the league, the Seatle Kraken (2.53 GF / GP).
Maccelli exited the game in the second period after taking a puck to the face and did not return. The 23-year-old winger has two goals and nine assists in 16 games to open the season. We should expect to receive an update on Maccelli's injury and a possible timeline for his recovery in the coming days.
Vanecek received the night off on Tuesday but will return to the starter's crease on Thursday against the red-hot Pittsburgh Penguins. Vanecek and the Devils have been shadows of themselves, with Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier out of the lineup tending to injuries. The Devils have lost four of their last five (1-4-0), scoring more than three goals only once in that span. In addition, Vanecek hasn't been able to shut the door consistently, highlighted by his two most recent performances (0-2-0), allowing seven goals on a combined 36 shots (.806 SV%). Making things worse, the Devils are +127 road underdogs against a Penguins team that has outscored their opposition 25-8 during a five-game winning streak.
