The backup goalies were in fine form as the Islanders visited the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday night, with Semyon Varlamov coming out on top with a 35-save shutout, his 14th as an Islander (tied with Tommy Salo for 5th in franchise history!).
Varly got some help from his post, and from a goal-line save by Adam Pelech — each on perplexing solo break-ins that the PK allowed to Jack Roslovic while the Isles clinged to a 1-0 lead late in the third period.
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The Isles made a Kyle Palmieri goal hold up, scored at 15:45 of the first period. Late in the third, Varlamov’s opposite number, Spencer Martin, sabotaged an otherwise good performance by sending a giveaway straight up the slot. Casey Cizikas intercepted below the blueline, fired a shot on goal, and Matt Martin pounced on the rebound for his first goal of the season and 78th of his career.
That left the Isles three minutes of relative comfort to close the game out, the only remaining question being whether Varlamov would pick up the shutout.
Notes
- Strong road game from the Isles overall. Though the teams had similar records going in, you kind fo felt like this was a “need to bank the points” meeting, and the Isles delivered.
- The power play: Oh, the power play. They had a really good first one, keeping the puck in throughout and generating shots. The others were a mixed bag. They remain in the bottom third of the league with a 13% conversion rate.
- Long may Varlamov be a backup/1A who can deliver performances like this. It’s such an asset. He didn’t have to stand on his head exactly — didn’t have to do a Sorokin — but he was outstanding and the score could’ve easily been different.
- Noah Dobson’s point streak ended at five. As the MSG broadcast trivia noted, the last Isles defenseman to log points in six games in a row was Mark Streit in 2012-13.
The Islanders return home for a visit by the Red Wings Monday. Detroit got off to a strong start, but they’ve since come back to earth and are on an 0-2-1 skid.