Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Takes tough loss Wednesday
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Varlamov stopped 24 of 25 shots in Wednesday's 2-0 loss to the Blue Jackets, with Columbus' last goal getting scored into an empty net.
He was locked in a scoreless tie with Elvis Merzlikins until early in the third period, when Damon Severson flipped a pass toward the front of the net that deflected past Varlamov off the skate of Ryan Pulock. The veteran netminder has had an up and down start to the season in a timeshare with Ilya Sorokin, and the Islanders' offensive struggles haven't helped -- Varlamov is 1-3-1 in five appearances with a 3.21 GAA and .876 save percentage.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Slated to start Wednesday
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Varlamov is slated to be between the pipes for Wednesday's road matchup against Columbus, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.
Varlamov struggled during his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 27 shots (.815 save percentage) to take the loss against the Panthers at home. Ilya Sorokin will draw the start for Tuesday's home game against Anaheim, but Varlamov will patrol the crease for the second half of the back-to-back.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Crumbles in loss vs. Florida
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Varmalov stopped 22 of 27 shots in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Panthers. The sixth goal was an empty-netter with 2:17 left in the third period.
This was far from the outing Varlamov would've wanted after not starting in the last two games. The 36-year-old veteran gave up six unanswered goals, including three in the final period, and he's having a woeful start to the campaign. Through four outings, Varlamov has gone 1-2-1 with a 3.72 GAA and .854 save percentage, and both marks represent career-worst figures for him. Expect Ilya Sorokin to return to the Isles' crease for a matchup against the Ducks on Tuesday.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Expected starter for Saturday
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Varlamov is slated to start on the road against Florida on Saturday, per Stefen Rosner of NHL.com on Friday.
Varlamov has a 1-1-1 record, 3.26 GAA and .868 save percentage across three appearances in 2024-25. He'll be playing in the second half of a back-to-back after Ilya Sorokin gets the assignment in Friday's road game versus the Devils. The Panthers are in a three-way tie for 18th offensively with 3.00 goals per game this season.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Hangs on for shootout win
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Varlamov stopped 21 shots through overtime and seven of nine shootout attempts in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Canadiens.
The veteran netminder wasn't too busy during the first 60 minutes, facing only three shots in the third period, but Varlamov earned his win in the shootout. He's gotten the nod in three of the Islanders' first five games, but his .868 save percentage keeps the door open for Ilya Sorokin to seize the starting job.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Facing Canadiens
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Varlamov will patrol the home crease Saturday versus Montreal, according to Andrew Gross of Newsday.
Varlamov has posted a record of 0-1-1 this season while stopping 45 of 52 shots. He went 1-2-0 in three outings against the Canadiens during the 2023-24 regular season, surrendering 10 goals on 80 shots.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Gives up two goals Saturday
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Varlamov allowed two goals on 26 shots in Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Stars. The third goal was an empty-netter.
Varlamov has endured a rough start to the campaign, allowing seven goals on 52 shots en route to a 0-1-1 record. Even though this performance was a step in the right direction compared to his rough home opener, this is far from the start fantasy managers hoped for when drafting Varlamov. The Isles' next game comes against the Avalanche on Monday as part of their three-game road trip.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Expected to start Saturday
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Varlamov was the first goalie off Friday, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports, indicating that he'll be in goal for Saturday's road matchup against Dallas.
Varlamov struggled during Thursday's Opening Night matchup, turning aside just 21 of 26 shots in the 5-4 overtime loss to Utah. However, the Islanders appear to be easing Ilya Sorokin into action early in the season after he underwent back surgery during the offseason, so Varlamov will have a chance to turn things around Saturday against the Stars.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Rough outing in opener
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Varlamov allowed five goals on 26 shots in Thursday's 5-4 overtime loss against Utah.
Varlamov was far from perfect Thursday night, but the team in front of him didn't do him many favors. The 36-year-old is in his 17th season in the NHL, and he could be in for a big workload to start the campaign -- the Islanders will likely ease Ilya Sorokin into action after undergoing back surgery during the offseason. Varlamov posted a 14-8-4 record with a .918 save percentage and a 2.60 GAA in 28 regular-season appearances in 2023-24. The Russian netminder's next chance to rebound will be Saturday against the Stars.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Named starter for Thursday
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Varlamov will start in the home crease for Thursday's Opening Night matchup against Utah, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
Although Ilya Sorokin (back) has been cleared to return to action ahead of the regular season, Varlamov will get the start in the Islanders' regular-season opener. Varlamov appeared in 28 games last year and logged a 14-8-4 record, 2.60 GAA and .918 save percentage.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Gives up two early goals
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Varlamov allowed two goals on 22 shots in Friday's 5-2 preseason win over the Rangers.
Varlamov was unfortunate to give up the first goal to Jonny Brodzinski, as his save went up and deflected off his back to find the back of the net. However, he settled down after giving up two first-period goals and looked solid the rest of the way. The Russian netminder could be in line to start Opening Night at home versus Utah on Oct. 10 since Ilya Sorokin (back) has not seen any preseason action yet.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Facing Rangers
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Varlamov will be between the home pipes against the Rangers on Friday, per Andrew Gross of Newsday.
Coach Patrick Roy said the plan was for Varlamov to play the whole game Friday. The netminder could be in line to start Opening Night at home versus Utah on Oct. 10 as Ilya Sorokin (back) has not seen any preseason action. Varlamov was 14-8-4 with a 2.60 GAA and a .918 save percentage in 28 regular-season contests in 2023-24.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: In goal Friday
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Varlamov will protect the home goal versus the Devils on Friday, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
Varlamov will make his second preseason start. Head coach Patrick Roy told Gross on Friday that Varlamov requested two preseason starts, so he may not see much additional action before the regular season begins. That could allow the Islanders to get a longer look at Marcus Hogberg, who is an option to fill the backup role if Ilya Sorokin (back) is not ready to begin the campaign.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Making preseason debut
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Varlamov will guard the road goal in Tuesday's preseason game versus the Rangers, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.
Varlamov can be expected to see a hearty amount of preseason action with Ilya Sorokin (back) rehabbing from surgery. Varlamov was more than capable last season with a 2.60 GAA and a .918 save percentage over 28 regular-season appearances.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Blown away by Carolina
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Varlamov turned aside 32 of 37 shots Tuesday in a 6-3 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Islanders' first-round series, with Carolina's final goal getting scored into an empty net.
With their season on the line, the Isles came out flat and were down 2-0 before the four-minute mark in the first period. While Varlamov played well enough to allow his team to rally and tie things up by the second intermission, the third period belonged to Carolina. The veteran netminder posted a 2.70 GAA and .914 save percentage in his five playoff appearances, numbers very similar to his 2.60 GAA and .918 save percentage during the regular season. Barring a trade, he'll return to man the crease in Long Island in 2024-25 alongside Ilya Sorokin.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Gets starting nod for Tuesday
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Varlamov will be between the road pipes for Game 5 against the Hurricanes on Tuesday, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
As expected, Varlamov gets the nod after having put together a strong showing in Game 4. He stopped 42 of 44 shots on net in that must-win contest. At this point, the 36-year-old Varlamov figures to continue trying to stave off elimination for the Islanders for as long as he can.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Busy in Game 4 win
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Varlamov stopped 42 shots Saturday in a 3-2 double-overtime win over the Hurricanes in Game 4 of the Islanders' first-round series.
The 36-year-old netminder wouldn't let the Isles get swept, making 17 saves in the first OT period alone to give Mathew Barzal a chance to pot the winner. Varlamov has started three of New York's four playoff games so far, posting a stellar 2.08 GAA and .930 save percentage despite a 1-2 record, and he should get the nod again Tuesday for Game 5 as the series shifts back to Carolina.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: In goal for Saturday
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Varlamov will get the starting nod at home for Game 4 against the Hurricanes on Saturday, Arthur Staple of The Athletic reports.
Varlamov was initially benched for Game 3 but came on in relief of Ilya Sorokin in the second period -- Varly stopped all eight shots he faced from that point on. Overall, Varlamov is sporting a 2.41 GAA and .915 save percentage through three playoff appearances, but he's lost both of his starts. At this point, if Varlamov puts together a good enough performance to earn a victory in Game 4, he'll almost certainly get the nod for Game 5 on Tuesday.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Needed in relief
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Varlamov stopped eight shots after entering in relief of Ilya Sorokin in the second period of Thursday's 3-2 Game 3 loss to the Hurricanes.
After Varlamov dropped the first two games of the series, the Islanders turned to Ilya Sorokin on Thursday in an attempt to change the momentum. However, Sorokin allowed three goals on Carolina's first 14 shots before the Isles turned back to Varlamov midway through the second period. The 35-year-old Varlamov managed to hold the Canes scoreless over the game's final 30:33 minutes, though New York ultimately couldn't find a tying goal, leaving Sorokin with the loss. Varlamov figures to be back between the pipes for Saturday's do-or-die Game 4. Despite the Islanders' struggles thus far in the series, Varlamov's posted a solid .915 save percentage through his three postseason appearances.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Drops Game 2
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Varlamov allowed four goals on 38 shots in Monday's 5-3 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 2. The fifth goal was an empty-netter.
The Islanders jumped out to a 3-0 lead early in the second period but Varlamov allowed a Teuvo Teravainen power-play goal before the Hurricanes exploded for four goals in the third, including an empty-netter, leaving the Islanders down 2-0 in the series. The 35-year-old Varlamov was excellent down the stretch, going 7-1-0 with a .936 save percentage in his final eight regular-season starts while taking over the starting job from Ilya Sorokin. However, the Islanders may choose to mix things up in goal Thursday when they return home for Game 3.
