Semyon Varlamov likely to start in net for the Islanders on Saturday at Buffalo
New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov protects the net against the New York Rangers during the second period of a preseason game at UBS Arena. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Semyon Varlamov played in three of the Islanders’ six preseason games but has not been in net for a game that has counted since April 1.
That will change Saturday night in Buffalo as Varlamov is the expected starter for the Islanders’ first road game of the season against the Sabres.
“I feel ready,” the goalie said before the Islanders lost, 5-4, in overtime to the Devils on Friday night at UBS Arena. “I had a lot of skating the past few weeks. A lot of work. I feel pretty good.”
The 35-year-old Varlamov, who signed a four-year, $11 million extension in the offseason, went 1-2-0 with a 4.50 goals-against average and an .852 save percentage in the preseason, last playing in a 5-2 loss to the Flyers in Philadelphia on Oct. 5.
He went 11-9-2 with a 2.70 GAA and a .913 save percentage last season as Ilya Sorokin’s backup.
Varlamov was asked what the hardest thing is for a goalie at the start of a game after a long layoff.
“We’re going to find out [Saturday] the first 10 minutes,” Varlamov said. “Every game is different. Sometimes you feel good from the beginning. Sometimes you don’t. Sometimes it takes you some time to adjust to the speed.”
Coach Lane Lambert would not disclose whether there was a ballpark for how many games he expected Varlamov to play.
Mayfield skates
Defenseman Scott Mayfield (lower body) missed his second game after blocking a shot off his ankle in the season-opening 3-2 win over the Sabres this past Saturday. But he did participate in the Islanders’ optional morning skate on Friday, marking his first time back on ice.
“This is a good step for him,” Lambert said.
Line switch
Lambert switched his lines for the first time this nascent season as he moved Simon Holmstrom to Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s third line midway through the second period and elevated Anders Lee to Horvat’s top line with Mathew Barzal.
“More net presence for that line, that’s what we’re looking for,” Lambert said. “Leesy is good at the net.”
Isles files
Saturday is president and general manager Lou Lamoriello’s 81st birthday … Zach Parise, an Islander the past two seasons who chose not to attend training camp and remains an unrestricted free agent, has reportedly begun skating again back home in Minnesota … Bo Horvat had his first multigoal game as an Islander … Forwards Oliver Wahlstrom and Julien Gauthier remained healthy scratches.
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.
More Islanders
