New York Islanders Are Their Own Worst Enemy New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-january-avalanche-golden-knights-coyotes-2023-2024] netminder Semyon Varlamov [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/new-york-islanders-ilya-sorokin-semyon-varlamov-goaltending-tandems-2023-24] made his first start Tuesday night since suffering an injury in the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins last Wednesday. After missing a few days of practice and the game against the Washington Capitals, the 35-year-old returned and backed up Sorokin in their 3-1 loss to the Penguins on New Year's Eve. Named the starter against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche, his stay between the pipes was short-lived. With 5:08 to play in the first period, Varlamov was slow to get up after a save and left the game. The Islanders lost their second player of the game with 4:19 to play in the second as Robert Bortuzzo had to be helped off after falling awkwardly after a Samuel Girard hit. Neither returned and Islanders head coach Lane Lambert had no updates following the 5-4 overtime loss.
