Sorokin Is Playing Amazing Right Now There's probably no NHL team that needed this two-week break more than the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/]. They've been ransacked with injuries all season, and after it appeared that the injury bug was gone, it came back stronger than ever. Forward Anthony Duclair, who has been playing through a lower-body injury, will hopefully get as close to 100 percent as physically possible for the stretch run. Defensemen Noah Dobson (lower body) and Ryan Pulock (upper body) are expected to hit the ice at some point during the second week of the break. Dobson is currently on long-term injured reserve and will have to miss one more game before being eligible to be activated. Pulock is on injured reserve, so he can be activated when he is ready. Backup goaltender Marcus Hogberg's four-week timeline for an upper-body injury coincides with the break to a tee. We'll see if he's ready when the break resumes. Starting netminder Ilya Sorokin will likely be handling much of the workload out of the break anyway, given the Islander's need for points, but having a trustworthy backup is beyond crucial. We were not provided with an update on defenseman Scott Mayfield, who entered the break with a lower-body injury (day-to-day). However, the hope is that he'll be able to return when the schedule resumes. Forward Mathew Barzal (out indefinitely) isn't likely to be back anytime soon after undergoing a minor procedure on his left kneecap. The timeline is around six weeks, but recovery time is different for each person. Don't be shocked if Barzal, who is on injured reserve, gets placed on long-term injured reserve at some point. Goaltender Semyon Varlamov (out indefinitely) was shut down after trying to work his way back from a lower-body injury, and there's no timetable for his return. He's on long-term injury reserve. Defenseman Mike Reilly (out indefinitely) has been skating with teammates before practice and morning skates. He's on long-term injury reserve. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stay updated with the most interesting Islanders stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwpuDfCA?ceid=CA:en&oc=3] to never miss a story.
