It's Ilya Sorokin's net until Semyon Varlamov returns from COVID-19 quarantine
Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin makes a save against the Senators in the second period of an NHL game at UBS Arena on Feb. 1. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
BUFFALO — Ilya Sorokin started Tuesday night’s 6-3 loss to the Sabres at KeyBank Center just as he started the first three games of this road trip, including a back-to-back.
It’s his net until Semyon Varlamov clears COVID-19 protocol.
"If there’s any silver lining it’s that we don’t have any back-to-backs," coach Barry Trotz said."Sorokin can play the games."
The Islanders next back-to-back is Feb. 26-27 in Los Angeles and Anaheim. By then, Varlamov should be back with the team.
Varlamov was scheduled to start Saturday’s 5-2 loss in Calgary but the team learned he tested positive after he took warmups.
Trotz said Varlamov must remain quarantined in Calgary for a minimum of six days — the first day he tested positive plus the next five days, which would take him to Thursday. Varlamov must also show two negative tests to clear quarantine.
The Islanders open a five-game trip in Seattle next Tuesday and it’s possible Varlamov could rejoin the team there.
"He has to be in Canada for a minimum of six days but you also have the testing part of it," Trotz said. "He’s got to get some negative tests. At this point, I haven’t heard of him having any negative tests."
Cory Schneider, on an emergency recall from AHL Bridgeport, is serving as Sorokin’s backup. He hasn’t played in the NHL since March 6, 2020.
Isles files
Defenseman Andy Greene was a healthy scratch for the first time this season as Trotz opted to dress Sebastian Aho for his first game since Dec. 19, a stretch of 16 games. Greene, 39, did miss four games from Nov. 20-26 while in COVID-19 protocol…The Islanders allowed a goal in the last six seconds of a period for the third time in 10 games…The Islanders allowed the first goal for the ninth time in 10 games.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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