George will make his season debut vs. Buffalo on Saturday.
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New York Islanders News
McWard has been reassigned to Bridgeport (AHL).
George has been recalled from Bridgeport (AHL).
Horvat (lower-body) is expected to play vs. Buffalo on Saturday.
Horvat has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on January 1st, but was a full participant at practice on Friday, and will likely play on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 30-year-old forward has 33 points (21G / 12A) in 36 games this season.
Pulock missed practice on Friday with an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day.
Pulock has played every game this season, but could be at risk of missing his first, on Saturday afternoon against the Buffalo Sabres. The 31-year-old defenseman has 21 points (2G / 19A) and is averaging 21:09 time-on-ice through 50 games this season.
Horvat (lower-body) was a full participant in practice on Friday.
Horvat has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on January 1st, but is nearing a return after being a full participant at practice on Friday. The 30-year-old forward has also been travelling with the team on their most recent road trip, so his return is likely imminent. He has 33 points (21G / 12A) in 36 games this season.
Goalie Start
Sorokin will start in Seattle on Wednesday.
Sorokin has a league-leading five shutouts, including two in his last five games (4-1-0), and will return to the crease on Wednesday. Islanders fans were concerned about Sorokin to start the 2025-26 season after posting an ugly 3.74 GAA and .868 SV% in his first seven games (2-4-1), but he has been among the NHL's best goalies since, going 14-7-1 with a dazzling 2.11 GAA and .929 SV%. The Islanders enter Wednesday's contest with even -105 odds on the road against a Seattle Kraken team on a four-game losing streak (0-3-1).
Line Change
Gatcomb is expected to be a healthy scratch in Seattle on Wednesday.
Maxim Shabanov will draw into New York's lineup on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken, resulting in Gatcomb being a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Gatcomb is averaging 10:12 time-on-ice and has two points (1G / 1A) in 22 games this season.
Shabanov is expected to draw back into New York's lineup in Seattle on Wednesday.
Marc Gatcomb will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Shabanov to re-enter the lineup against the Seattle Kraken. The 25-year-old Shabanov, in his first NHL season, has 15 points (4G / 11A) in 35 games this season.
Goalie Start
Sorokin is in the starter's crease at New York's morning skate.
Sorokin has a league-leading five shutouts, including two in his last five games (4-1-0), and will likely return to the crease on Wednesday. Islanders fans were concerned about Sorokin to start the 2025-26 season after posting an ugly 3.74 GAA and .868 SV% in his first seven games (2-4-1), but he has been among the NHL's best goalies since, going 14-7-1 with a dazzling 2.11 GAA and .929 SV%. The Islanders enter Wednesday's contest with even -105 odds on the road against a Seattle Kraken team on a four-game losing streak (0-3-1).
Line Change
Soucy (personal) will return to New York's lineup in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Soucy is averaging 17:18 time-on-ice and has eight points (3G / 5A) in 44 games this season. The 31-year-old defenseman leads the Rangers with a +5 plus/minus. He has missed the past three games, but should return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings.
Line Change
Soucy (personal) will not return to New York's lineup on Monday vs. Anaheim but is expected back in the upcoming games.
Soucy is averaging 17:18 time-on-ice and has eight points (3G / 5A) in 44 games this season. The 31-year-old defenseman leads the Rangers with a +5 plus/minus. He has missed the past two games and will miss at least one more.
Palat (illness) is expected to return vs. Anaheim on Monday.
Palat did not play in New Jersey's most recent game, but he practiced on Monday and is expected to be in the lineup against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday. The 34-year-old Czech forward has struggled offensively this season, with only 10 points (4G / 6A) through 47 games.
Goalie Start
Sorokin will start vs. Vancouver on Monday.
Sorokin is coming off an outstanding 35-save performance for his league-leading fifth shutout of the season in a 1-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers. He will return to the crease on Monday against a last-place Vancouver Canucks team that is 0-8-2 in its last 10 games. The 30-year-old Sorokin is among the NHL's best goalies since the end of October, posting a stellar 2.03 GAA and .930 SV% in 21 games (13-7-1).
Shabanov is expected to be a healthy scratch on Monday.
Palat (illness) will not play on Saturday.
Goalie Start
Rittich will start Saturday in Calgary.
Ondrej Palat (illness) missed the morning skate and is questionable to play Saturday.
Soucy (personal) will not travel to Philadelphia for New York's upcoming road trip.
Soucy is averaging 17:18 time-on-ice and has eight points (3G / 5A) in 44 games this season. The 31-year-old defenseman leads the Rangers with a +5 plus/minus. The Rangers have recalled Connor Mackey from Hartford (AHL) in a corresponding move.
Goalie Start
Sorokin will start in Edmonton on Thursday.
Sorokin had been outstanding heading into the Islanders' previous game, allowing three or fewer goals in 18 of 19 games (12-6-1), posting a solid 2.04 GA and .932 SV%, but faltered from that on Tuesday, allowing five goals for the first time this season (.773 SV%) in a 5-4 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The 30-year-old Sorokin hopes to get back on track on Thursday, as the Islanders enter the action as +139 road underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers team that has points in five straight games (3-0-2).