Semyon Varlamov did not quite get a chance to play the hero on Thursday night as the Islanders allowed just 14 shots on net, tying a season low.
But Varlamov was good enough in making a few key saves on odd-man rushes that Patrick Roy was asked following the 3-2 win over the Canadiens whether the netminder’s play had changed his thinking for Saturday’s grudge match against the Rangers, which Ilya Sorokin is scheduled to start.
“No,” Roy said. “We have two very good goaltenders. Ilya played really well against Chicago and Columbus [last week]. He gave up one goal against Chicago and two against Columbus. So no, it does not. We’re going with Ilya.”
Ilya Sorokin is scheduled to start for the Islanders against the Rangers on Saturday. Robert Sabo for NY Post So after being deprived of Sorokin facing his friend Igor Shesterkin on Tuesday, the matchup is back in play on Saturday, though Rangers coach Peter Laviolette has yet to confirm a starter.
What makes this matchup different than all the others is that it represents Sorokin’s best remaining chance to make a case to start Game 1 of a potential playoff series, a race in which Varlamov is currently outstripping the 2022 Vezina Trophy candidate.
Explore More
“Varly is in the zone right now,” Roy said. “He’s big out there, he’s square, he’s tough to beat. And he gave us a chance to stay in that game and win that hockey game.”
Roy has continued to profess faith in both netminders down the stretch, but the proof has been in his deployment of them over the last few weeks.
Sorokin has started just two games since a March 24 loss against the Devils, both against bottom-dwelling sides. Varlamov has started six in the same span, including every game against playoff opposition.
Semyon Varlamov Noah K. Murray-NY Post The 35-year-old veteran also has earned at least a point in seven of his last eight starts, over which he has amassed a .925 save percentage.
The worst of Sorokin’s slump, which hit a nadir with a six-game losing streak that included a number of soft goals, appears to be over — at least if his last two starts are any indication.
And as good as Varlamov has been, Sorokin’s ceiling is as high as any goaltender in the league.
Saturday would be a good time to issue a reminder of that.
A loss to the Rangers in regulation on Saturday would mark the Islanders’ first three-game regulation losing streak at The Garden since 2010-11, according to team statistician Eric Hornick.
The Islanders did not hold practice Friday ahead of the 12:30 start Saturday.
