Semyon Varlamov has suddenly become the New York Islanders' Rock of Ages.
Semyon Varlamov has suddenly become the New York Islanders' Rock of Ages.
Semyon Varlamov has suddenly become the New York Islanders' Rock of Ages.
A 41-save shutout performance last night at UBS Arena virtually guarantees that Varly will start on Tuesday night against the Rangers in Elmont's "New Barn."
The 2-0 shutout really was a 1-0 decision until Kyle Palmieri relieved the pressure with an open-netter in the final moments of what was the Orange and Blue's biggest win of the season.
Biggest for the veteran Russian goalkeeper as well.
"Varly gave us a chance to win," said an exultant coach Patrick Roy. "I had him in Colorado and I knew -- and know -- what he can do."
Many in the press corps considered Varly over the titular No. 1, Ilya Sorokin, a large-size gamble, and, in a sense, it was.
But Roy knows a bit about goaltending and a lot about the fellow he coached in Denver.
"Varly saw the puck well," said Palmieri, whose bullseye open-net goal skimmed right down and into the middle of the Nashville net. "He kept it simple, and he was our best penalty-killer."
Back-to-back third-period minor penalties turned very major, with New York nursing a one-goal lead and so much at stake
"He made the big saves," added the coach, "but he also got a lot of help. Guys were going down with their bodies. Simon Holmstrom made one of the biggest saves of all, got hurt and came to the bench but was back for more."
Ditto for Bo Horvat and Casey Cizikas, who excelled on the first line with Mat Barzal and Bo.
"I should have moved Casey up sooner when I got here," added Roy. "He's fitting in well with those guys."
The Preds rank among the NHL elite. Going head-to-head with them and not capitulating means plenty in terms of the last five games of the season.
"Every game is clutch," said Varly, who showed rare emotion at the end when the capacity crowd saluted him. "We've got only five games left, and we have to keep it going.
"The fans went nuts, and I went nuts in the net!"
How often Roy stays with his latest star is a moot question. Varly has the coach's confidence and it's now a mutual admiration society.
"I want my team to respond to the NHL's best clubs, and Varly certainly helped us against the Predators," Roy concluded.
That explains why a remarkably enthusiastic crowd sang and danced in the aisles at the end.
They all were unanimous with their chant:
"WE WANT PLAYOFFS!"