With Mike Reilly being placed on LTIR, New York has recalled Grant Hutton from Bridgeport (AHL). The 29-year-old defensemen has played in 12 games for the Islanders this season, picking up two assists and four PIMs.
George exited the Islanders' January 2nd 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs after only 8:07 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury and has not played since. The 20-year-old George is averaging 16:38 time-on-ice and has five points (1G / 4A) in 25 games this season.
Reilly has not played since the beginning of November, first missing time due to a concussion, and subsequently being out after underdoing a heart procedure in mid-November. Before his injury, the 31-year-old Reilly had played 11 games, averaging 15:45 time-on-ice. There is no timeline for his return.
Holmstrom has not played since December 29th, missing the last three games due to an upper-body injury. The 23-year-old Holmstrom has 22 points (9G / 13A) in 37 games this season and has been one of the top offensive contributors for the Islanders lately. He has 12 points (6G / 6A) in his last 14 games.
The Islanders will roll with Sorokin between the pipes for the 14th time in the last 15 games. Sorokin was solid in his most recent outing, a 3-1 losing effort to the Toronto Maple Leafs, saving 22 of 24 shots (.917 SV%). That said, Sorokin has struggled this season, posting a 2.92 GAA and .898 SV% in 27 games (11-12-4). He has an ugly .868 SV% in his last 11 games (5-6-0). The Islanders enter Thursday's rematch against the Maple Leafs as slight -106 home favorites.
Sorokin had a rare night off in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins but will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 29-year-old netminder had started 12 straight before Sunday and has a 2.96 GAA and .898 SV% in 26 games this season (11-11-4). The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as +127 road underdogs.
Simon Holmstrom (upper body) will not play on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, allowing Engvall to re-enter the lineup against his former team. The 28-year-old Engvall is averaging 12:41 time-on-ice and has seven points (3G / 4A) in 22 games this season.
The Islanders will be without Holmstrom on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs due to an upper-body injury and will welcome Engvall back into the lineup. The 23-year-old Holmstrom has 22 points (9G / 13A) in 37 games this season and has been one of the top offensive contributors for the Islanders lately. He has 12 points (6G / 6A) in his last 14 games.
Sorokin gave up six goals on 24 shots in the Islanders blowout loss to the Sabres on Monday. Sorokin has now given up three-plus goals in five consecutive starts, going 2-3-0 with a 4.54 GAA and .836 SV% during that stretch. Tonight he will face a Penguins team that has gone 9-3-1 while averaging 4.1 goals per game over their last 13 games.
On the final day before the holiday break, the Islanders will roll with Sorokin between the pipes for an 11th straight game. Sorokin saved 26 of 29 shots (.897 SV%) in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 29-year-old netminder has a 2.82 GAA and .903 SV% in 24 games this season (10-10-4), tarnished by his .856 SV% in his last four games (2-2-0). The Islanders enter Monday's contest as -147 home favorites against a reeling Buffalo Sabres squad amid a 13-game losing skid (0-10-3).