The Islanders will take the ice without their top goaltender for at least one more game, as Ilya Sorokin (lower-body injury) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, ahead of their home matchup against the rival Rangers.

In a corresponding move, the Islanders called up AHL Bridgeport goalie Marcus Hogberg as their emergency backup.

With the IR decision retroactive to Dec. 20, Sorokin will be eligible to return to action Sunday, when the Islanders visit the Blue Jackets. The NHL requires a seven-day IR stint, so the prodecural designation for Sorokin could simply be precautionary, rather than the sign of some setback.

But the status on Sorokin's injury is still unclear. The 30-year-old netminder last played on Dec. 19 against the Canucks, allowing three first-period goals in a 4-1 home loss. 

He stopped 27 of 30 shots then, and played until the Islanders pulled him in the closing minutes for an extra skater with the net empty.

In his absence, the Islanders have turned to David Rittich, who's allowed three goals and made 61 saves in their last two games. 

Sorokin, who became one of the NHL's highest-paid goalies by signing an eight-year, $66 million extension in 2023, is a star talent the Islanders sorely need to compete for a playoff spot.

In 24 games this season, he owns a 12-10-2 record (three shutouts) with a 2.55 goals-against average and .910 save percentage. He began December on a five-game winning streak, but over his last two starts, he's allowed six goals on 51 shots.

The Islanders (20-13-4) currently sit in third place in the competitive Metropolitan Division, with 44 points and a plus-3 goal differential.