Semyon Varlamov blanks Senators as Islanders score three goals late in win
Semyon Varlamov of the Islanders celebrates after his shutout against the Senators with teammates Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield at UBS Arena on Tuesday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Semyon Varlamov drew some attention heading into the NHL trade deadline but the Islanders wanted to keep him in a tandem with Ilya Sorokin.
A little more than 24 hours later, Varlamov earned his first shutout of the season with 24 saves as the Islanders scored all their goals in the third period of a 3-0 win over the Senators at UBS Arena.
“It’s nice to turn it and get him a win and then the shutout on top of it,” said Brock Nelson, who had his second career three-assist game. “I’m sure it means a lot to him.”
The Islanders (27-25-9), who have won nine of 10 against the Senators (22-36-5), are 17 points behind the Capitals for a wild-card spot.
After two scoreless periods, defenseman Scott Mayfield finally made it 1-0 at 9:49 of the third period, beating Anton Forsberg (24 saves) to the short side from below the right circle. Anders Lee scored an insurance goal at 17:25 and Zach Parise added an empty-netter with 47.3 seconds remaining.
Varlamov had used his glove to stop Chris Tierney’s breakaway at 14:04 of the first period. Play had continued despite a scrum up ice ensuing from defenseman Adam Pelech’s hard hit on Mathieu Joseph.
“Usually when those things happen there is a whistle,” said Ross Johnston, who was in the middle of the scrum. “When I see a breakaway happening, I was a little bit shocked. It’s funny now. If they scored, we’re looking at it a little bit differently.”
Isles files
Coach Barry Trotz said Mathew Barzal was OK after taking a skate blade to his leg and exiting late in the third period…Mayfield added an assist, giving him three, two-point games against the Senators this season (one goal, five assists)…Cal Clutterbuck, newly re-signed to a two-year, $3.5 million extension, missed his second straight game for maintenance and remains day to day.
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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