Varlamov's Resiliency Paves The Way In Islanders Shootout Win

Varlamov was phenomenal in the nine-round shootout.

ELMONT, NY -- New York Islanders netminder Semyon Varlamov was not pleased after Cole Caufield's 3-3 tying goal with 2:10 to play in regulation:

"100 percent, that was frustrating," Varlamov said postgame. "I didn't want to give up that goal. As a goalie, it's your job to make a big save in the key moments like that, and the puck went in."

But, the grizzled veteran bounced back, making three saves in the overtime period before only allowing two shootout goals on nine attempts. 

"That's Varly," Islanders head coach Patrick Roy said postgame. "And it's not just Varly, but the team. We regrouped after that tying goal in the third period. I called a timeout just to make sure that we stayed focused and kept the same energy level and focus. 

"I was proud of the way the guys responded. It could have been a tough one and affected the play of our team. But the tying goal didn't change anything."

For Varlamov, he earned his first win of the season, but more importantly, help the Islanders get that crucial second point, especially after their 1-0 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.

"He was great. He gives us a chance every night, both for our goaltenders," shootout hero Noah Dobson said. "He made some big saves at key times when we had the lead and even late in the game, in overtime. So, that's a great job by him to give us a chance to pull one through for him."