The Islanders have won two straight and will turn to Sorokin on Thursday in the front end of a back-to-back when they visit the Vegas Golden Knights. After an awful start to the season, posting an ugly 3.70 GAA and .868 SV% in seven games (2-4-1), the 30-year-old Sorkin has rebounded nicely in recent games. He has a superb 1.50 GAA and .949 SV% in his last four games (3-0-1), reminding Islanders' fans of the elite ability that put him in the Vezina conversation in recent seasons.

Sorokin has struggled this season but is coming off his best performance, making 33 saves for his first shutout of the season in a 5-0 win over the New York Rangers. The 30-year-old goalie hopes to build off his recent outing when he returns to the crease on Monday against the New Jersey Devils. He has a 3.00 GAA and .893 SV% in 10 games this season (4-4-2). The Islanders enter Monday's contest as +132 road underdogs against a Devils team that is undefeated at home this season, with a perfect 7-0-0 record.

Rittich had a forgetful stat on October 30th, allowing six goals on 34 shots (.824 SV%) in a 6-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, but returned to the crease three days later, saving 20 of 22 (.909 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 33-year-old Rittich has been used sparingly this season but has shown more good than bad, posting a 3.01 GAA and .902 SV% in four games. Rittich returns to the crease on Friday against a Minnesota Wild team playing the tail end of a back-to-back.

The Islanders received solid goaltending from David Rittich in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, but they will revert back to Sorokin between the pipes on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. The 30-year-old Sorokin has had a forgetful 2025-26 season, posting a 3.40 GAA and .877 SV% in eight games (3-4-1). That said, he played well in his most recent outing, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Washington Capitals.

Islanders' head coach Patrick Roy stated that Barzal was a healthy scratch on Thursday for disciplinary reasons after being late to morning skate. The 28-year-old Barzal will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals, looking to build on his eight points (2G / 6A) in nine games this season.

Ritchie was supposed to make his NHL debut last night, but poor weather resulted in his flight being cancelled. That said, he will join the Islanders for his NHL debut on Friday against the Washington Capitals. The 20-year-old Ritchie was drafted 27th-overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He has three points (1G / 2A) in three games with the Bridgeport Islanders (AHL) this season.

Warren was drafted in the sixth round (166 overall) by the Minnesota Wild in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old defenseman has spent the previous three seasons in the AHL and has five points (2G / 3A) in four games with the Bridgeport Islanders in 2025-26.

Romanov has only played four games this season, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 25-year-old Romanov was averaging 18:12 time-on-ice, with 12 block and 15 hits in four games before his injury.

Islanders' head coach Patrick Roy stated that Barzal will be a healthy scratch for disciplinary reasons after being late to morning skate. The 28-year-old Barzal has eight points (2G / 6A) in nine games this season. Emil Heineman will be the main beneficiary in Barzal's absence, moving up to the team's top powerplay unit.

Romanov has only played four games this season, and will miss out least one more outing. The 25-year-old Romanov was averaging 18:12 time-on-ice, with 12 block and 15 hits in four games before his injury.

The Islanders' defensive woes continued with David Rittich tending the twine in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Islanders. The team will flip the script on the tail end of their back-to-back, turning to Sorokin between the pipes on Friday against the Washington Capitals. That said, the Islanders haven't fared much better with Sorokin. The 30-year-old Sorokin is off to a forgetful start, posting an ugly 3.75 GAA and .868 SV% in seven games (2-4-1). The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as +187 road underdogs against a 6-4-0 Capitals team.

Rittich has seen limited action this season, but when called upon, he has outplayed starting netminder Ilya Sorokin, who is sporting an ugly 3.75 GAA and .868 SV% in seven games (2-4-1). The 33-year-old Rittich has an excellent 2.01 GAA and .940 SV% through two games this season (2-0-0) and could earn himself some extra playing time with another strong performance. That said, the Islanders enter Thursday's contest as +188 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes team off to a 6-3-0 start to the season.

After losing their first three games to start the season (0-3-0), the Islanders have points in five straight (4-0-1). Despite their recent surge in play, the Islanders are still hoping for another level out of Sorokin between the pipes. The 30-year-old netminder is off to a lackluster start to the season, posting an unspectacular 3.70 GAA and .875 SV% in six outings (2-3-1). He returns to the crease on Tuesday against a Boston Bruins team on the tail end of a back-to-back.

Warren was drafted in the sixth round (166 overall) by the Minnesota Wild in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old defenseman has spent the previous three seasons in the AHL and has five points (2G / 3A) in four games with the Bridgeport Islanders in 2025-26.

Highmore came flying out of the gate with Bridgeport (AHL) to start this season, picking up four assists in his first four games. He earned himself an NHL call-up but did not draw into the Islanders' lineup, and has been sent back down to the AHL. The 29-year-old is expected to provide some forward depth for the Islanders after he appeared in 41 games with Ottawa in 2024-25, picking up two goals and six points.