Islanders News

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Matthew Schaefer • D • Islanders

Matthew Schaefer Cleared for Action Tuesday

New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (illness) will suit up on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. Initially, he was considered a game-time call after Schaefer had to skip Monday's practice due to illness. Schaefer has scored three goals over his last two appearances, reaching 28 points for the season. The 18-year-old sits third among rookies in scoring, posting 12 goals and 16 assists in 42 appearances. On Tuesday, Schaefer will attempt to post his first four-game point streak since beginning the campaign with a six-game run.

2 days ago

Matthew Schaefer • D • Islanders

Matthew Schaefer a Game-Time Call Tuesday

New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (illness) will be a game-time call on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. The young defensive star missed Monday's practice due to illness. Schaefer has enjoyed a good rookie campaign, recently becoming the first defenseman in NHL history to record two multi-goal games as an 18-year-old. Overall, he has managed 12 goals and 28 points in 42 appearances, adding 58 blocks on the defensive end. Adam Boqvist will likely replace Schaefer in the lineup on Tuesday if he doesn't feel better in 24 hours.

3 days ago

Ilya Sorokin • G • Islanders

Ilya Sorokin Comes Off Injured Reserve

New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (lower body) was activated from Injured Reserve and will dress as the backup on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sorokin, who suffered a lower-body injury on Dec. 19, has been unavailable for six games. After backing up David Rittich on Saturday, Sorokin is likely to return to the Islanders' crease on Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils. In December, Sorokin won five of his seven starts, improving to 12-10-2 for the season. He has recorded three shutouts with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage.

6 days ago

Bo Horvat • C • Islanders

Bo Horvat Ruled Out for at Least One Week

New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (lower body) will miss at least one week. The veteran forward sustained a lower-body injury on New Year's Day against the Utah Mammoth. The Islanders have three games scheduled over the next seven days, starting with Saturday's matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The injury is a setback to Horvat's bid for his second career 70-point campaign. In 36 outings, he has produced a team-high 21 goals and 12 assists. With Horvat out, the Islanders will use Mathew Barzal as the first-line center, with Jean-Gabriel Pageau shifting to the middle on the second line. Maxim Tsyplakov will fill in for Pageau on the right wing.

6 days ago

Bo Horvat • C • Islanders

Bo Horvat Sustains Lower-Body Injury Thursday

New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (lower body) exited Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Utah Mammoth in the third period. He left the action with 12 minutes remaining in regulation. Horvat struggled to put weight on his left leg as he limped down the tunnel. The Islanders' top scorer was injured a day after he was named on Team Canada for the 2026 Olympics. In 36 outings, Horvat has managed 21 goals and 33 points this campaign. The Islanders are expected to provide an update on him either Friday or Saturday. Simon Holmstrom or Calum Ritchie may get an opportunity in the top six if Horvat misses time. Meanwhile, his injury could also impact Team Canada.

6 days ago

Ilya Sorokin • G • Islanders

Ilya Sorokin Lands on Injured Reserve

New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (lower body) was moved to Injured Reserve and won't be available for this weekend's back-to-back against the New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets. The move is retroactive to Dec. 20. Sorokin has missed two games already due to a lower-body injury. While Sorokin has battled some consistency issues during the 2025-26 campaign, he has logged a 2.55 goals-against average, a .910 save percentage, and three shutouts, going 12-10-2 across 24 starts. David Rittich, who holds an 8-3-2 record, will start on Saturday, with Marcus Hogberg recalled from the minors to serve as his backup.

Dec 27

Bo Horvat • C • Islanders

Bo Horvat Returns to Action Saturday

New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (lower body) will be back in the lineup on Saturday when the team returns from the holiday break with a matchup against the New York Rangers. Horvat missed the last five games before the break due to a lower-body injury. Anthony Duclair is expected to be a healthy scratch to accommodate Horvat's return. The Islanders' top scorer will skate alongside Jonathan Drouin and Emil Heineman on the first line. Horvat is flirting with his second career 70-point campaign this year, notching 19 goals and 31 points in 32 appearances. He scored twice in this season's first Battle of New York.

Dec 27

Ilya Sorokin • G • Islanders

Ilya Sorokin to Miss Tuesday's Game

New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (undisclosed) won't be available for Tuesday's tilt against the New Jersey Devils. The team announced that Sorokin is dealing with a nagging injury. He is expected to return to the lineup after the Christmas break. Sorokin has blown hot and cold in 2025-26, posting a 12-10-2 record. He has registered three shutouts with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. The Russian netminder began December with a five-game winning streak before losing back-to-back starts. David Rittich is expected to start on Tuesday, with Marcus Hogberg being called up from the minors to provide cover.

Dec 22

Bo Horvat • C • Islanders

Bo Horvat to Miss Fourth Straight Game Saturday

New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (lower body) will miss a fourth straight game on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. He isn't traveling with the team after sustaining a lower-body injury earlier this month. Horvat's absence is a huge blow for the Islanders, as he leads the team in goals (19) and points (31). Furthermore, Mathew Barzal (undisclosed) is also dealing with a health issue and has been a game-time decision for a pair of contests this week. The team would be without its top two centers if Barzal had to sit as well. Jean-Gabriel Pageau has moved into the top six in Horvat's absence, although he is mostly known for his defense, and fantasy managers don't have much to gain by picking him up.

Dec 20

Mathew Barzal • C • Islanders

Mathew Barzal a Game-Time Call Tuesday

New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal (undisclosed) is a game-time decision on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. The Islanders may be without their top two centermen for the contest, as Bo Horvat (lower body) will remain out for a second straight game. Barzal has entered the new week of action with a four-game point streak. He leads the Islanders with 16 assists, adding nine goals in 32 appearances. Due to the team's injury situation, Jonathan Drouin may slot in at center on Tuesday night, while Calum Ritchie and Jean-Gabriel Pageau are likely to see increased usage.

Dec 16

Bo Horvat • C • Islanders

Bo Horvat Ruled Out for Saturday

New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (lower body) will miss his first game of the season on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Islanders' leading scorer suffered a lower-body injury in Thursday's win over the Anaheim Ducks and is considered day-to-day. Mathew Barzal will take over top-line center duties against Tampa Bay, while Jean-Gabriel Pageau will center the second line after spending some time on the right wing. Jonathan Drouin (back) is expected to return from a five-game absence on Saturday and will fill the gap on the top line.

Dec 12

Bo Horvat • C • Islanders

Bo Horvat Suffers Lower-Body Injury in Thursday's Win

New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (lower body) was limited to 10:01 of ice time in Thursday's 5-2 home victory against the Anaheim Ducks. He departed the game midway through the second period due to a lower-body injury after Horvat got tangled with Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson and fell awkwardly. Islanders head coach Patrick Roy announced after the game that Horvat is considered day-to-day. It's extremely important for the Islanders that Horvat doesn't miss an extended period, as he's been their best player this season. Through 32 games, Horvat leads the Islanders with 19 goals and 31 points. Horvat would miss his first game of the season if he doesn't recover in time for Saturday's tilt against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Dec 12

Jean-Gabriel Pageau • C • Islanders

Jean-Gabriel Pageau Available Tuesday

New York Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (upper body) will return from an eight-game absence in Tuesday's matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights. He will skate with Anders Lee and Mathew Barzal on the second line. Before he suffered an upper-body injury, Pageau was stuck on a five-game scoring drought. However, it has been a decent campaign for him. In 22 outings, the defensive-minded forward has totaled six goals and 12 points. Pageau's return means there is no room for Maxim Tsyplakov in the lineup on Tuesday.

Dec 9

Ilya Sorokin • G • Islanders

Ilya Sorokin Ties Franchise Record With 25th Shutout

New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin had a special outing on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, tying a franchise record with his 25th career shutout in a 2-0 win. Sorokin and Tampa's Jonas Johansson kept the game tied until the 12:48 mark when Calum Ritchie opened the scoring on the power play. Sorokin finished with 32 saves, joining Glenn Resch at the top of the Islanders' shutouts list. It was Sorokin's third shutout of the season, putting him behind only Jesper Wallstedt of the Minnesota Wild (4). The Islanders' No. 1 has a 10-8-2 record, a 2.47 goals-against average, and a .912 save percentage. In his next start, Sorokin will attempt to post his first four-game winning streak since January-February of this year.

Dec 7

Mathew Barzal • C • Islanders

Mathew Barzal Leads Islanders Past Avalanche

New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal played a leading role in Thursday's big matchup against the league-leading Colorado Avalanche, factoring in half of his team's goals in a 6-3 victory. He had two assists before scoring the Islanders' fifth goal on the power play late in the second frame. Barzal had recorded only one point in his previous five outings. Recently, Barzal has struggled to make an impact, but his season has gone well in general. The 28-year-old is the Islanders' second-highest scorer, with 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) through 27 outings. As a member of the top six and the first power-play unit, Barzal averages over 21 minutes of ice time. His scoring rate could significantly improve if the Islanders sort out their power play, which is currently one of the worst in the league at 13.8 percent.

Dec 5

Kyle Palmieri • C • Islanders

Kyle Palmieri Out for 6-8 Months With Torn ACL

New York Islanders right wing Kyle Palmieri will miss 6-8 months after tearing the ACL in his left knee, the team announced Saturday. The veteran forward was injured in Friday's matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers. It's a bitter blow for the player and his team, as Palmieri has been among the Islanders' top scorers this season. He has posted 18 points (six goals, 12 assists) in 25 games. The knee injury will end Palmieri's impressive streak of 223 consecutive appearances. Maxim Shabanov is expected to take Palmieri's spot on the first line on Sunday against the Washington Capitals. The 25-year-old rookie receives a great opportunity to make an impression. So far, Shabanov has been quiet in the NHL, recording seven points (three goals, four assists) in 13 games.

Nov 29

Kyle Palmieri • C • Islanders

Kyle Palmieri Sustains Lower-Body Injury

New York Islanders right wing Kyle Palmieri (lower body) was injured during Friday's clash against the Philadelphia Flyers. He got hurt in the second period, exiting a 4-3 shootout loss with one assist. So far, Palmieri has played in all 25 games this season for the Islanders, scoring 18 points (six goals, 12 assists). He is tied with Jonathan Drouin for the most assists on the squad. The Islanders return to work on Sunday against the Washington Capitals and will likely re-insert Maxim Tsyplakov back into the lineup if Palmieri can't play. Tsyplakov shouldn't be considered a fantasy option, as he is having a miserable campaign with only one goal in 15 outings.

Nov 29

David Rittich • G • Islanders

David Rittich Keeps Kraken Quiet

New York Islanders goaltender David Rittich collected his third straight win and first shutout of the season in Sunday's 1-0 shootout victory over the Seattle Kraken. The 33-year-old landed in the net for the second leg of a back-to-back after Ilya Sorokin played in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues. The two Islanders netminders have combined for two shutouts over the last three games. While it's impossible for Rittich to dislodge Sorokin as the No. 1 goalie on Long Island, he has produced impressive numbers this season. The Czech native holds a 6-2-0 record and has allowed 2.59 goals with a .905 save percentage.

Nov 24

Jean-Gabriel Pageau • C • Islanders

Jean-Gabriel Pageau Out Week-to-Week

New York Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (upper body) is considered week-to-week, the team announced before Sunday's clash against the Seattle Kraken. The two-way forward had his normal workload on Saturday against the St. Louis Blues, but it looks like Pageau was hurt in the contest. Sunday marks his first absence of the campaign. In 22 outings, Pageau has contributed six goals and six assists. Additionally, he has averaged one block per game while delivering 33 hits. Calum Ritchie moved up to the third line to replace Pageau on Sunday, while Maxim Tsyplakov re-entered the lineup.

Nov 23

Alexander Romanov • D • Islanders

Alexander Romanov Out 5-6 Months Due to Shoulder Surgery

New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov (shoulder) is expected to miss 5-6 months after undergoing surgery, the team announced on Sunday. The Russian rearguard injured his shoulder during a contest against the Dallas Stars on Nov. 16. He was on the receiving end of a bad hit from Stars forward Mikko Rantanen, who was tossed from the game because of it. Romanov has recorded one assist, 17 shots, 31 blocks, and 31 hits in 15 games this season. Due to Romanov's absence, Adam Boqvist has become a regular in the lineup. Marshall Warren could also receive opportunities to play soon.

Nov 23

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