"The most immediate decision: Ilya Sorokin will not be in net Tuesday night when the Islanders host the New Jersey Devils at UBS Arena. Instead, David Rittich will make a second straight start, while Sorokin is being shut down for the week with what the team described as a "small, nagging issue." The Islanders stressed this is not about alarm - it's about opportunity."
"That decision triggered a corresponding move: Marcus Hogberg was recalled on an emergency basis from the Bridgeport Islanders, necessary due to the NHL roster freeze that runs through the break. Hogberg provides insurance behind Rittich and ensures the Islanders remain covered should anything unexpected arise. Head coach Patrick Roy made clear the approach is preventative. "It was something that was nagging him," Roy said. "We didn't want to take any chances.""
"Meanwhile, the Islanders also confirmed Bo Horvat will not return until after the break, even though the team's leading scorer skated Monday in a red non-contact jersey. Horvat missed his fifth straight game Tuesday and did not take line rushes or power-play reps, but his presence was still viewed as a positive step. Taken together, the message was consistent: protect core players now to be stronger later."
The New York Islanders elected not to play Ilya Sorokin Tuesday and shut him down for the week because of a "small, nagging issue," giving David Rittich another start. The team recalled Marcus Hogberg from AHL Bridgeport on an emergency basis to provide backup during the NHL roster freeze across the holiday break. Head coach Patrick Roy described the move as preventative and emphasized caution. Bo Horvat will not return until after the break despite skating in a red non-contact jersey and missing his fifth straight game. The club prioritized protecting core players now to ensure better health and availability for post-break games.
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