Islanders Pregame: Rittich Starts, Pulock Out vs. Ducks
Here's the lastest ahead of Islanders vs. Ducks.
ANAHEIM — The New York Islanders (35-21-5) battle the Anaheim Ducks (33-24-3) tonight at 7 PM PT. This is the first of a back-to-back with the Islanders battling the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.
The Islanders are riding a five-game winning streak while the Ducks saw their five-game winning streak come to an end last night in a 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
The goaltending matchup tonight is Ville Husso against David Rittich, as Lukas Dostal took the loss against Colorado.
Ilya Sorokin will get the start against Los Angeles.
Forward Jonathan Drouin, who missed Sunday’s game with a lower-body injury, will play. Forward Anthony Duclair will come out.
Defenseman Ryan Pulock will not play after taking the morning skate due to an upper-body injury. He is day-to-day. Defenseman Adam Boqvist will return to the lineup for the first time since Jan. 26 against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Here’s the lineup:
Ondrej Palat — Bo Horvat — Mathew Barzal
Jonathan Drouin — Cal Ritchie — Emil Heineman
Anders Lee — Jean-Gabriel Pageau — Simon Holmstrom
Kyle MacLean — Casey Cizikas — Marc Gatcomb
Matthew Schaefer — Scott Mayfield
Adam Pelech — Tony DeAngelo
Carson Soucy — Adam Boqvist
David Rittich
Ilya Sorokin
With a win, the Islanders can move ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins and take sole possession of second place in the Metropolitan Division.
After tonight, the Islanders have one more game before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline.
It’s amazing that this team is where it’s at without a Power Play. Maybe Darche does something before the trade deadline? Maybe during the off season, but Eiserman is potentially an answer to the PP. During the PP we need more controlled quick passing, more possession, and a indiscriminate shooter! It’s not coaching it’s execution and skill issue. They also lack confidence. Which leads to different personnel. Horvat Barzel Schaefer Kyrou and Eiserman.
No Show Tonight! As simple as That! The only takeaway from this game is the Power Play is horrendous. I realize this has been an issue for a loooong time. However it’s got to get addressed ie Trade, Bring up Prospects whatever has to be done get it done! The entire organization has to attack this vexing problem.