Islanders Fall 4-2 to Jets New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-kyle-maclean-john-maclean-patrick-family-stan-fischler] netminder Ilya Sorokin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/ilya-sorokin-new-york-islanders-extension-anders-lee-scott-mayfield] will make his eighth-straight start and 12th-straight appearance Friday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. While Sorokin has done what he can to keep the Islanders in games amidst a down year, the fourth-year NHLer could use some relief soon. Well, that relief could be on its way soon as backup netminder Semyon Varlamov [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-ilya-sorokin-new-york-rangers-igor-shesterkin-2023-24] has resumed skating on Long Island, per Newsday's Andrew Gross. Varlamov has been a stopgap for the Islanders, particularly when Sorokin needs a night off. In 14 games as his backup, he is 6-4-2 with a 2.78 GAA and .918 SV%, along with two shutouts against division rivals in Columbus and Washington. Varlamov’s injury troubles began against the Pittsburgh Penguins. After taking over in the third period in relief of Sorokin, he missed a few days due to maintenance, resulting in Ken Appleby getting called up for their Dec. 29 game against the Capitals. Varlamov returned for their New Year’s Eve contest with Pittsburgh but went down once again against Colorado. After making a save late in the first period in Denver, Varlamov was slow to return to the bench during a timeout, resulting in Sorokin playing the remainder of the game. The Islanders announced he suffered a lower-body injury and was day-to-day, but he hasn’t played or skated since then. Sorokin has played a ton of hockey, and a Varlamov return sooner than later would be critical in not having the No. 1 starter burn out as the Islanders fight to stay in the playoff race. Forward Pierre Engvall remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
