George was the fourth-round pick, 98th overall, of the Islanders in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old defenseman has two points (1G / 1A) in four games with the Bridgeport Islanders (AHL) this season, his first professional campaign.
After seeing sporadic deployment in the first four weeks of the season, splitting time with Semyon Varlamov, Sorokin will make his third consecutive start for the Islanders on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Despite allowing seven combined goals in his last two outings (1-1-0), Sorokin has been tremendous between the pipes this season, posting a stellar 2.29 GAA and .922 SV% in seven contests (3-3-1). The Islanders will face off against a Penguins team riding a season-best two-game winning streak despite allowing 50 goals this season, the most in the Eastern Conference.
The Islanders have been very liberal in alternating goalies this season despite Sorokin seemingly returning to the form that made him a Vezina-trophy runner-up in the 2022-23 season. The 29-year-old Sorokin has been terrific to start the 2024-25 campaign, posting a dazzling 1.80 GAA and .932 SV%, but only has a 2-2-1 record to show for it. The Islanders rank worst in the league offensively, averaging only 2.2 goals per game, and enter the action on Friday as slight -104 road underdogs against the Buffalo Sabres.
Romanov has missed three straight games due to an upper-body injury but is likely to make his return on Friday, replacing Dennis Cholowski. The 24-year-old Romanov has two points (0G / 2A), 19 blocks, and 14 hits in eight games this season.
With Mathew Barzal (upper-body) away from the team to get evaluated, Engvall will slide back into the Islanders lineup on Friday. The 28-year-old Engvall is averaging 10:27 time-on-ice and has four penalty minutes in two games this season.
Oliver Wahlstrom will draw into the Islanders' lineup on Friday, sending Martin back to the press box as a healthy scratch. Matt Martin has only played two games this season, averaging 9:34 time-on-ice, but has been his usual bruting self, racking up five hits.
The Islanders have been very liberal in alternating goalies this season despite Sorokin seemingly returning to the form that made him a Vezina-trophy runner-up in the 2022-23 season. The 29-year-old Sorokin has been terrific to start the 2024-25 campaign, posting a dazzling 1.80 GAA and .932 SV%, but only has a 2-2-1 record to show for it. The Islanders rank worst in the league offensively, averaging only 2.2 goals per game, and enter the action on Friday as slight -104 road underdogs against the Buffalo Sabres.
Barzal played 22:46 time-on-ice in Wednesday's 2-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, showing no signs of impairment, but is away from the team as he gets evaluated for an upper-body injury back in New York. After a stellar 2023-24 season, scoring 80 points (23G / 57A) in 80 games, Barzal has started the 2024-25 campaign slowly, with only five points (2G / 3A) in 10 games. At the Islanders' morning skate on Friday, Jean-Gabriel Pageau was in Barzal's usual spot, flanking Bo Horvat.
After playing two straight games, Engvall will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, replaced in the lineup by Matt Martin. The 28-year-old Engvall is averaging 10:27 time-on-ice and has four penalty minutes in two games this season.
Pierre Engvall will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Martin to re-enter the lineup for his second game of the season. Martin played 9:45 time-on-ice, recording two hits and a -1 plus/minus in his season debut last week.
Romanov is nearing a return but will likely miss a third straight game due to an upper-body injury on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Romanov has two points (0G / 2A), 19 blocks, and 14 hits in eight games this season.
On the opening night of a back-to-back, the Kings will turn to Rittich between the pipes. The 32-year-old Rittich started five straight games (3-2-0) before Darcy Kuemper returned from injury, posting a 3.09 GAA and .874 SV%. In his most recent outing, Rittich saved 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks. Rittich and the Kings will visit the Sharks in San Jose for a rematch on Tuesday, with the Kings entering the action as -288 road favorites.
On the opening night of a back-to-back, the Kings will likely turn to Rittich between the pipes. The 32-year-old Rittich started five straight games (3-2-0) before Darcy Kuemper returned from injury, posting a 3.09 GAA and .874 SV%. In his most recent outing, Rittich saved 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks. Rittich and the Kings will visit the Sharks in San Jose for a rematch on Tuesday, with the Kings entering the action as -288 road favorites.
