NHL Player News

Skinner will protect the home net against Carolina on Sunday, per Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff.

Skinner will get the second half of the Penguins' back-to-back after Arturs Silovs played in Saturday's 5-4 shootout win over Winnipeg. The 27-year-old Skinner has gone 1-1-4 while allowing 20 goals on 186 shots in six games since returning from the Olympic break. Carolina sits fourth in the league with 3.48 goals per game this season.

Shea (upper body) will not play Sunday against the Hurricanes, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.

Shea left Saturday's game against the Jets in the second period, and his upper-body injury will cost him at least one full game as well. The 29-year-old has enjoyed a strong season, notching 28 points (four goals, 24 assists) and a plus-24 rating in 69 games. He is listed as day-to-day, with his next chance to return being Tuesday against the Avalanche.

Vejmelka was the first goalie off at morning skate and is set to start Sunday against the Kings, Cole Bagley of KSL Sports reports.

Vejmelka is coming off his second shutout of the season in his last start against the Golden Knights. The 29-year-old has a 31-18-3 record on the season with a 2.67 GAA and an .898 save percentage. He'll face a Kings team that has struggled offensively this season, ranking 28th in the league with 2.61 goals per game.

Zary (upper body) is day-to-day and isn't expected to play against Tampa Bay on Sunday, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.

Zary will miss at least one game after being injured in Friday's 4-1 win over Florida. He didn't participate in Sunday's morning skate, making it unclear if he will be ready for Tuesday's matchup against the Kings. Zary has generated 11 goals, 24 points, 99 shots on net and 44 hits through 67 appearances this season.

Kuznetsov (upper body) will miss Sunday's game against the Lightning but is close to a return, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.

Kuznetsov has already missed three games and is set to miss a fourth Sunday against the Lightning. However, it seems that the 24-year-old could be ready soon with his next chance to come back being Tuesday against the Kings. He has 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 52 games on the season.

Sorokin will get the start in net Sunday against the Blue Jackets, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.

Sorokin started Saturday night against the Canadiens, surrendering six goals on 32 shots. Interestingly, the Islanders will turn to him once again on the second of a back-to-back, giving him a chance to instantly rebound. The 30-year-old has a 25-17-2 record on the season with a 2.59 GAA and a .911 save percentage. He faces a hot Blue Jackets team that has gone 8-0-4 in its last 12 games.

Koivunen was loaned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Sunday.

Koivunen has collected two goals, seven points, 32 shots on net and 13 blocked shots in 33 NHL appearances this season. He also has 11 goals and 33 points across 28 AHL outings during the 2025-26 campaign.

Pesce (lower body) is questionable to return to the lineup before the end of the 2025-26 regular season, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports Sunday.

Pesce had been listed as week-to-week and has missed the last eight games. If he doesn't return before the end of the regular season, he will finish with one goal, six assists, 45 shots on net and 80 blocked shots across 37 appearances.

Noesen (knee) has been ruled out for the rest of the season, Kristy Flannery of The Hockey News reports Sunday.

Noesen had surgery on his knee back in January. There was hope that he might make it back in time to contribute this year, but that possibility has been officially ruled out. The 33-year-old will wrap up his 2025-26 campaign with three goals, four assists, 33 penalty minutes, 33 hits and 15 blocked shots in 38 games.

Colton (upper body) isn't in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Capitals, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports.

Colton will miss a sixth consecutive game, as he didn't take the ice for warmups ahead of Sunday's contest. The 29-year-old has 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) in 60 games on the season. His next chance at a return will be Tuesday on the road against the Penguins.