New York Islanders vs San Jose Sharks prediction: Blue line injuries on Nov. 9, 2026

The Islanders visit the Sharks on Nov. 9 without defensemen Ryan Pulock and Alexander Romanov, facing a Sharks team that gives up more shots than all but one NHL club. Their thinner defense has to survive a Sharks power play that draws penalties at one of the league's highest rates.

It is a regular-season game on Monday, Nov. 9, in San Jose, and both teams sit outside the playoff places in the early weeks of the 2026-27 season.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

When is Islanders vs Sharks?

The Islanders play the Sharks on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET in San Jose. It is a regular-season game in the 2026-27 NHL season, with the Sharks at home.

The matchup is one of the daily sports prediction markets on OG.com that night.

What is Islanders vs Sharks prediction?

The Islanders are favorites at 74%, with the Sharks at 60%, according to market data as of 2 Nov 2026. For the latest probabilities, check OG.com.

Each price is an implied probability that traders in sports prediction markets adjust as news arrives, so these percentages reflect the market's expectations, not guaranteed outcomes. The market resolves when the game ends and a winner is determined; check the contract terms to see how overtime and shootouts are handled.

The Islanders' case starts in goal: Ilya Sorokin has a .911 save percentage and Semyon Varlamov a .891, against .900 for Yaroslav Askarov and .899 for Alex Nedeljkovic, so their edge has to come from limiting shots and penalties. The Sharks' case is special teams: they draw penalties at one of the league's highest rates against a defense missing Ryan Pulock.

Islanders vs Sharks recent scores and head-to-head results

The Islanders' wins on Oct. 27 and Oct. 29 both needed extra time, and the 4-0 loss to the Oilers on Oct. 31 was their first game without a goal this season. The Sharks have scored one goal or fewer in two of their last three games.

The Islanders won both meetings last season, the latest 2-1 in overtime in San Jose on March 7, when Bo Horvat scored on a pass from Matthew Schaefer and Ilya Sorokin stopped 30 shots to Yaroslav Askarov's 32. Patrick Roy coached the Islanders then, Peter DeBoer coaches them now, and Mathew Barzal, who assisted on the winner, has not played this season.

Where do Islanders and Sharks stand this season?

Through Nov. 1, the Islanders are 7-5-2 with 16 points in 14 games, fourth in the Metropolitan Division and two points behind the Panthers and Lightning, who hold the Eastern Conference wild cards. The Sharks are 7-7-1 with 15 points in 15 games, fourth in the Pacific Division and level on points with the Blues and Predators, who have each played 14 games.

The Sharks' 52 goals allowed in 15 games (3.47 per game) leave them at minus-11 in goal differential, while the Islanders are at plus-1 after allowing 39 in 14 (2.79 per game). Scoring is close, at 2.86 goals per game for the Islanders and 2.73 for the Sharks, so the gap is in defense.

Islanders vs Sharks team news, injuries and projected lineups

Injuries have hit the Islanders on defense and the Sharks at forward, and neither team has announced a starting goalie for Nov. 9.

Islanders

Ryan Pulock will miss two to four weeks with an upper-body injury, the Islanders announced Nov. 1, which covers the Nov. 9 game. Alexander Romanov is out for the season with a torn ACL. Matias Maccelli, on a two-to-four-week timeline from Oct. 17, has resumed skating, and Calum Ritchie, on four to six weeks, has not. Mathew Barzal has no announced timetable.

Ilya Sorokin has played 10 of the Islanders' 14 games and Semyon Varlamov four. Scott Mayfield returned to the lineup beside Matthew Kessel when Pulock sat out on Oct. 31, a pairing that could continue.

Sharks

Alexander Wennberg and Igor Chernyshov (both upper body) are on injured reserve with estimated returns of Nov. 9 and Nov. 14, and Quentin Musty is out until at least Dec. 1. Estimated dates are not clearances. Wennberg had 55 points last season, third on the team, so his status affects the center depth behind Macklin Celebrini.

Yaroslav Askarov has made nine starts in goal this season and Alex Nedeljkovic six.

What could decide Islanders vs Sharks?

The Islanders' injuries meet a Sharks team that draws penalties and a Sharks defense that concedes volume.

Can the Sharks turn their power-play volume into goals?

The Sharks get 3.47 power plays per game, third in the NHL, and have scored on 23.1% of them for 12 goals, seventh in the league. Tyler Toffoli leads them with three power-play goals, and Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith have two each.

The Islanders' penalty kill is at 86.0%, but their goalies have stopped 87.8% of shots shorthanded through Oct. 30, so the crease has done much of the work. They were shorthanded a season-high six times against the Oilers, with Schaefer taking two minors, and another early run of penalties would test how long the goalies can keep covering for the kill.

How will the Islanders' defense hold up without Ryan Pulock?

Pulock averaged 17:31 per game before the injury. His minutes move to Scott Mayfield (13:01) and Matthew Kessel (12:42), the lowest averages among the Islanders' regular defensemen, which pushes more ice time to Schaefer (26:48) and Adam Pelech (20:30).

If the Sharks draw penalties early, DeBoer has to choose between giving Schaefer another heavy load and trusting the third pair in shorthanded and late-game minutes.

Can the Islanders create enough shots against the Sharks' defense?

The Sharks allow 31.0 shots per game, the second-most in the NHL, while the Islanders take 25.5 and managed a season-low 18 against the Oilers, with five high-danger chances at 5-on-5. Simon Holmstrom, Bo Horvat and Kyle Palmieri had 57% of the expected goals over 58 minutes through Oct. 30, while the Brayden Schenn line was at 44%.

If that trio gets favorable matchups, the Islanders can turn the Sharks' volume problem into chances; if it does not, their shot count stays low.

The Islanders win the game they want if penalties stay even and the shot count stays low. The Sharks need an early power-play goal to force the Islanders to chase with a thinner defense, and Wennberg's return would give them more center depth for that kind of game.

FAQs

Both teams have lost players to injury, and the Sharks are the home team.

What time does Islanders vs Sharks start?

Islanders vs Sharks starts at 10 p.m. ET on Monday, Nov. 9, in San Jose.

Who are the leading scorers for Islanders vs Sharks?

Bo Horvat and Matthew Schaefer lead the Islanders with 14 points each. Macklin Celebrini leads the Sharks with 16 points in 13 games, followed by Will Smith with 10 in 15.

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