New York Islanders: Can Semyon Varlamov Rebound in Game Three?

After a rough Game 2, Semyon Varlamov needs to bounce back for the New York Islanders.

Since the expanded playoffs began,

New York Islanders

‘ netminder

Semyon Varlamov

had been flat-out dominant. Forty seconds into Game Two against the

Philadelphia Flyers

, Varlamov passed the great Billy Smith, for the longest shutout streak in Islanders’ playoff history (136:59). This shutout streak dated back to Game Five against the

Washington Capitals

, a 4-0 win, before seeing the same result in Game One of the second round.

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But once that shutout streak came to an end at 138:17 (new franchise-record), Varlamov seemed lost on the ice. After allowing three goals on 10 shots before the first period came to a close on Wednesday, head coach Barry Trotz pulled his star netminder as he tried to wake his team up. Knowing that this was the first game of what was supposed to be a back to back, this was an opportunity to give Varlamov time to rest. So

Thomas Greiss

, who had not played a game since March 7th, was in a game with the Islanders trailing 3-0.  The Islanders quickly woke up defensively, tightening up, as Greiss was not tested very often. He was able to stop 20-21 as he helped the Islanders mount a comeback, before ultimately losing 4-3 in overtime. With Game 3 slated for Thursday, the question became who would start in goal? But with that game being postponed, Varlamov will be leading his team out of the tunnel when warmups begin tonight. The question now is can Varlamov rebound from his worst performance of the playoffs? When goaltenders struggle in games, the best thing for them is a quick turn around to help forget about what happened the day or night prior. That was the main reason I believed Varlamov would get the nod for the second of a back to back. But the situation has changed. Regardless of that bad performance, Varlamov still sits first amongst starters with a 1.76 GAA and second in save percentage amongst goaltenders left in the playoffs, his .932 only trailing Flyers’ Carter Hart (.935 SV%). While two of the goals in Game Two could and should have been stopped, especially based on the level Varlamov has played at since entering the bubble, the Islanders defense really struggled to play their game early on.

This first goal, while it was a perfect shot by Kevin Hayes, is a stoppable puck if Varlamov squares up to the shooter. While facing an odd-man rush he seemed to cheat just barely in case of a pass, ultimately costing him a few inches blocker side, resulting in a goal. But this second goal, he clearly cheats the pass, resulting in one of the ugliest goals he has probably given up the whole entire season, especially in these playoffs.

The backline was very loose, as we saw many odd-man rushes, two leading to goals, again ones that Varlamov should have. The last one to go in, leading to the goalie change, was not on him.

Nick Leddy

cannot be bodied off a puck like that, as Varlamov was outwaited by the skilled

Sean Couturier

. To be a goaltender, you need to have a strong mental game, the ability to forget what happened and move on, rather quickly. Varlamov has been able to do that throughout these playoffs, as he is 2-0 following a loss, with a .980 SV%, allowing 0.5 goals per game. But after those losses, it has been the same story for Varlamov and the Islanders. In those games, the team, not just Varlamov rebounded, as every facet of their game was elevated, resulting in wins, both being series-clinching wins. Against this Flyer team, the Islanders need to do that once again. Their overtime loss was a devastating one, after erasing a three-goal deficit late, to lose on a bad bounce in overtime. But if we have learned anything is that this Islander team loves facing adversity as their underdog story continues. I expect Varlamov to come out and purely dominate tonight, as he has done more often than not.

While all eyes are on him, it is not an individual effort. He is only as good as his defense is in front of him and if they can play their usual defensive, things should bode well.