Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Strong in shootout loss
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Varlamov surrendered one goal on 31 shots in Tuesday's 2-1 shootout loss to the Flames.
Varlamov couldn't win a third straight start, but he has given up no more than two goals in his last four outings. The 36-year-old was bested by Rasmus Andersson on a power-play tally in the third period, and the Flames also converted two of their three shootout attempts. Varlamov is down to a 3-3-2 record with a 2.60 GAA and a .903 save percentage over eight starts. He continues to back up Ilya Sorokin, but Varlamov has gotten a start roughly once a week -- that's enough action to be worth a look in fantasy. The Islanders' five-game road trip ends Thursday in a matchup with the Red Wings.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Confirmed starter on the road
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Varlamov will guard the road crease versus the Flames on Tuesday, Andrew Gross of Newsday relays.
Varlamov will attempt to pick up his third straight win against a Calgary club that's scoring 2.67 goals per game through 18 outings. The 36-year-old made 24 saves on 26 shots in a 5-2 win over Vancouver in his last start Nov. 14. The Russian netminder has posted a 3-3-1 record, .892 save percentage and 2.86 GAA through seven appearances.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Wins again Thursday
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Varlamov allowed two goals on 26 shots in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Canucks.
The Islanders played an excellent defensive game over the first two periods, and they built up enough of a lead for Varlamov to protect in the third. He's now won two straight games, and he's allowed just five goals on 81 shots over his last three outings. Varlamov is 3-3-1 with a 2.86 GAA and an .892 save percentage over seven appearances this season. Ilya Sorokin will likely be back between the pipes for Saturday's matinee game in Seattle.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Slated to start Thursday
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Varlamov is expected to start on the road against Vancouver on Thursday, per Stefen Rosner of NHL.com.
Varlamov stopped 28 of 30 shots en route to a 4-2 victory over Ottawa in his most recent start last Thursday. He has a 2-3-1 record, 3.01 GAA and .887 save percentage over six appearances with the Islanders in 2024-25. Vancouver is a challenging adversary with an 8-3-3 record. The Canucks are also tied for 13th offensively with 3.21 goals per game.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Game sharpening into focus
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Varlamov made 28 saves in a 4-2 win over Ottawa on Thursday.
Varlamov benefited from a relative outburst in scoring from his team, which sits in the bottom quarter of the league in terms of goals scored. And his own game has settled recently, too. Varlamov has allowed just three goals in his last two starts (1-1-0) after seeing 15 whiz past in his four games prior. He has long been one of the most stable backups in the NHL, and it seems like he's rounding back into steady form for daily formats.
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Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Exits ice first Thursday
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Varlamov was the first goalie off the ice Thursday, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports, indicating he'll be in goal on the road versus Ottawa.
Varlamov has managed just one win in his five appearances this season, posting a 1-3-1 record to go with a 3.21 GAA and .876 save percentage. While the Isles don't have a back-to-back on the schedule until the end of November, the coaching staff seems to want to get Varlamov into the mix along with starter Ilya Sorokin and could still see a handful of opportunities.
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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.
