Islanders News

EASTERN METROPOLITAN

Calum Ritchie • C • Islanders

Calum Ritchie Rejoins Islanders Lineup as Second-Line Center

New York Islanders forward Calum Ritchie (lower body) will return from a six-game absence on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. With Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal both on the first line, Ritchie will take over center duties on the second line. The Islanders are also expected to use him on the first power-play unit. Ritchie had a four-game assist streak last month and has amassed 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 40 outings this season. Anthony Duclair will make way for Ritchie in the lineup.

Feb 5

Mathew Barzal • C • Islanders

Mathew Barzal Plays Key Role in Comeback Victory

New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal tallied three points (one goal, two assists) in Tuesday's 5-4 overtime win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. All of Barzal's points came after the second intermission. He first tied the score at three, then set up goals by Ryan Pulock and Bo Horvat as the Islanders turned the game on its head. Barzal has been hot throughout 2026, earning him a spot on the top line alongside Horvat. The 28-year-old has scored in five of his last six outings and has earned 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) over a 16-game stretch. It's been an impressive comeback season for Barzal, who missed a large chunk of 2024-25 due to a knee injury. He leads the Islanders in scoring, posting 50 points (16 goals, 34 assists) in 56 games.

Feb 4

Jonathan Drouin • LW • Islanders

Jonathan Drouin Available Against Capitals

New York Islanders winger Jonathan Drouin (illness) will return to the lineup for Monday's tilt against the Washington Capitals. He missed Saturday's loss to Nashville due to illness. Drouin hasn't scored any points in nine appearances and will have new linemates on Monday. He is set to work as the second-line center, flanked by Simon Holmstrom and Emil Heineman. Mathew Barzal will join Bo Horvat and Ondrej Palat on the top line. In addition to his point drought, Drouin hasn't scored a goal since Nov. 14. He has been limited to 20 points (three goals, 17 assists) in 48 games this season.

Feb 2

Ondrej Palat • LW • Islanders

Ondrej Palat Enjoys Multi-Point Debut With Islanders

New York Islanders left wing Ondrej Palat had a productive debut for his new team on Wednesday, contributing a goal and an assist in a 5-2 victory over the New York Rangers. Palat scored on the power play to open the scoring and collected an assist when Emil Heineman put the fifth puck past Spencer Martin in the Rangers' net. Palat became the fourth active player to record multiple points in their Islanders debut. Palat started the game on the first line but was limited to 11:53 of ice time. The Czech veteran will try to terrorize the Rangers again on Thursday night.

Jan 29

Simon Holmstrom • RW • Islanders

Simon Holmstrom Expected to Return Wednesday

New York Islanders right wing Simon Holmstrom (illness) was on the ice on Wednesday morning and is expected to play against the New York Rangers. The Swedish forward wasn't in the lineup on Monday versus the Philadelphia Flyers due to illness. Holmstrom has finished five of his last six appearances without a point. Still, he's been a solid contributor for the Islanders, tallying 12 goals and 12 assists in 50 outings. Max Shabanov is set to be a healthy scratch against the Rangers, with Holmstrom joining Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pageau on the third line.

Jan 28

Ryan Pulock • D • Islanders

Ryan Pulock a Game-Time Call Wednesday

New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (upper body) is considered a game-time decision for Wednesday's Battle of New York against the Rangers. The veteran has been sidelined for two games due to an upper-body injury. Pulock adds a lot to the Islanders' blue line, recording 21 points (two goals, 19 assists) and a team-high 92 blocks in 50 appearances this season. If he's deemed healthy to play, Pulock will likely replace Adam Boqvist in the lineup and join Carson Soucy on the third defensive pairing. Soucy is ready to make his Islanders debut after being traded by the Rangers on Monday.

Jan 28

Ondrej Palat • LW • Islanders

Devils Send Ondrej Palat to the Islanders

The New York Islanders have acquired left wing Ondrej Palat in a trade with the New Jersey Devils. Winger Maxim Tsyplakov moved in the opposite direction, along with a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick. The Devils had to attach a couple of draft picks to Palat to move him, as the Czech veteran has been underperforming for the team. In 51 outings this season, Palat has contributed only four goals and six assists. He has one more year left on his contract, which carries a $6 million cap hit. Palat probably won't have a large impact in New York, but he will add a lot of playoff experience to the Islanders' roster. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect much improvement from Tsyplakov either, as the Russian forward has been limited to two points (one goal, one assist) in 27 outings.

Jan 28

Carson Soucy • D • Islanders

Carson Soucy Won't Play Monday

New York Rangers defenseman Carson Soucy will miss Monday's game against the Boston Bruins for roster management purposes. He is expected to be traded to the New York Islanders. The Rangers' neighbors are looking for additional help in defense after losing Alexander Romanov (shoulder) for several months. Soucy moved to New York less than 12 months ago when he was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks for a conditional third-round draft pick. He has tallied eight points (three goals, five assists), 39 shots, 66 blocks, and 71 hits in 46 outings this season. Urho Vaakanainen is set to take Soucy's spot in the lineup on Monday.

Jan 26

Ryan Pulock • D • Islanders

Ryan Pulock Misses Second Consecutive Game

New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (upper body) will be out for a second consecutive game on Monday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The hardworking blue-liner sustained an upper-body injury on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken. Pulock has improved offensively in 2025-26, tallying 21 points (two goals, 19 assists) in 50 appearances. He leads the Islanders with 92 blocked shots. Isaiah George joined the lineup on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres and is expected to make a second consecutive appearance on Monday night. George was limited to 13:56 of ice time against Buffalo and doesn't have any fantasy value.

Jan 26

Simon Holmstrom • RW • Islanders

Simon Holmstrom a Game-Time Call Monday

New York Islanders right wing Simon Holmstrom (illness) is considered a game-time decision for Monday's meeting with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Swedish forward is battling an illness and could miss his second game of the season. Holmstrom is hoping to post a second consecutive 40-point campaign in 2025-26, sitting on 12 goals and 12 assists through 50 appearances. He has skated with Anthony Duclair and Mathew Barzal on the second line. The Islanders will turn to Maxim Tsyplakov or Calum Ritchie if Holmstrom doesn't feel well enough to play against Philadelphia.

Jan 26

Bo Horvat • C • Islanders

Bo Horvat Rejoining Islanders Lineup Saturday

New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (lower body) will return to the lineup on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. The Islanders have been without their top centerman for nine games due to a lower-body injury. Despite playing only once in January, Horvat remains the Islanders' top goal-scorer with 21 markers. He has also managed 12 assists in 36 appearances. On Friday, Horvat practiced on the top line with Emil Heineman and Jonathan Drouin and worked on the first power-play unit. With Horvat back in the lineup, Jean-Gabriel Pageau will drop down to the third line.

Jan 23

Ilya Sorokin • G • Islanders

Ilya Sorokin Shuts Out Oilers With 35 Saves

New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin took over the league lead with his fifth shutout of the season, keeping Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers at bay with 35 saves in a 1-0 win on Thursday night. McDavid was riding a career-best 20-game point streak, while Leon Draisaitl had averaged two points per game over the last five contests. Yet, Sorokin made containing the star duo look easy on Thursday, becoming the sixth active netminder to record five shutouts in a single season at least three times. Three of Sorokin's five shutouts have come in his last nine starts. He has won three of four outings in January, improving to 15-11-2. The Russian shot-stopper has registered a 2.47 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage.

Jan 16

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.

Jan 6

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.

Jan 5

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.

Jan 2

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.

Jan 2

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.

Jan 2

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

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