New York Islanders News

Rittich snapped a three-game losing streak (0-2-1) in his previous outing, saving 14 of 16 shots (.875 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the New York Rangers. The 33-year-old Czech goalie was tremendous to start his first season with the Islanders, posting a terrific 2.26 GAA and .919 SV% through 14 games (9-3-2), but has struggled to maintain that excellence. He has a 2.95 GAA and .859 SV% in his last eight games (3-4-1). The Islanders enter Monday's contest as +116 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team on a two-game winning streak.

Rittich snapped a three-game losing streak (0-2-1) in his previous outing, saving 14 of 16 shots (.875 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the New York Rangers. The 33-year-old Czech goalie was tremendous to start his first season with the Islanders, posting a terrific 2.26 GAA and .919 SV% through 14 games (9-3-2), but has struggled to maintain that excellence. He has a 2.95 GAA and .859 SV% in his last eight games (3-4-1). The Islanders enter Monday's contest as +116 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team on a two-game winning streak.

Luff played five games with the Blues earlier this season, scoring one goal, but has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL. The 28-year-old forward has 33 points (13G / 20A) in 33 games this season with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL).

Cizikas played last night, but will exit the lineup on Thursday because of an illness. The 34-year-old Cizikas is averaging 11:34 time-on-ice and has 14 points (6G / 8A) in 53 games this season. Maxim Shabanov will draw into the lineup to replace Cizikas.

Casey Cizikas (illness) will not play on Thursday, allowing Shabanov to re-enter the lineup against the Rangers. The 25-year-old Shabanov has 15 points (4G / 11A) in 38 games this season.

Luff scored a goal in five games with the Blues earlier this season, but has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL. The undrafted 28-year-old has 33 points (13G / 20A) in 33 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL).

On the tail end of a back-to-back, the Islanders will turn to Sorokin on Thursday against the New York Rangers. Sorokin was terrific in his previous outing, recording his league-leading sixth shutout of the season with a 21-save performance in a 4-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. The 30-year-old goalie has a 2.25 GAA and .926 SV% in his last 10 games (6-4-0). The Islanders enter the action on Thursday against a slumping Rangers team with only two wins in their last 11 games (2-8-1).

Pulock has not played in a week, but will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the New York Rangers. The 31-year-old Pulock is averaging 21:09 time-on-ice and has 21 points (2G / 19A) in 50 games this season.

Boqvist will take a seat on Wednesday, and could see his ice time take a significant hit in the near-future given the arrival of Carson Soucy and return of Ryan Pulock. Boqvist has zero goals and one assist in 20 games this season.

Rittich has been reliable in a supporting role for most of the season, but suddenly finds himself battling some adversity. The 33-year-old Czech goalie has allowed three or more goals in four of his last five games (1-3-1), posting an ugly 3.51 GAA and .832 SV%. He will look to return to the form he showcased in his first 16 games of the season (10-4-2), posting a 2.39 GAA and .918 SV%. The Islanders enter Wednesday's contest as -125 home favorites against a New York Rangers team that is coming off a 4-3 win over the Boston Bruins.

Ritchie was a surprise scratch on Monday, with the Islanders not announcing his absence prior to warmups, and will remain out of the lineup on Wednesday. The former first-round pick has seven goals and eight assists in 40 games this season.

Pulock has not played in a week, but could return to the lineup as soon as Wednesday against the New York Rangers. The 31-year-old Pulock is averaging 21:09 time-on-ice and has 21 points (2G / 19A) in 50 games this season.

Soucy appeared in 62 games over the last two seasons during his brief tenure with the Rangers, tallying four goals and 11 assists while playing just under 17 minutes a night. Soucy now joins a crowded Islanders blue-line that already includes the likes of Matthew Schaefer, Adam Pelech, Tony DeAngelo, and Ryan Pulock, though Pulock is currently sidelined with an upper-body injury.

With Simon Holmstrom returning from an illness, Shabanov will be the odd-man out of the lineup as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Shabanov has 15 points (4G / 11A) in 38 games in his first NHL season, but has been held off the scoresheet in eight consecutive games.