When it comes to Semyon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy does not believe in labels even if the pecking order of the two goaltenders was clear before his arrival.
“Even when I was playing, I always thought the No. 1 guy was the guy that was playing the game,” Roy said on Sunday. “The No. 2 was sitting on the bench. So to me, it’s a unique position. There’s only one guy that could play and you’re very lucky when you have two very good goaltenders and that’s how fortunate we are.”
Sorokin, the 28-year-old star who finished second in the Vezina Trophy voting last season, was the team’s undisputed No. 1 goalie at the start of the season. Varlamov, who just turned 36 on Saturday, returned on a four-year deal as Sorokin’s backup despite the prospects of signing for a team where he could start and also get starting goalie money.
Of the Islanders’ first 37 games of the 2023-24 season from Oct. 14-Jan. 2, Varlamov made just 17 appearances. An injury then sidelined him until Jan. 25.
All the while, Sorokin was faltering. His Vezina-caliber numbers sagged behind a regressing Islanders defense and a league-worst penalty kill that ultimately resulted in Lane Lambert’s firing on Jan. 20.
In stepped Roy and upon Varlamov’s availability came more chances for what was the No. 2 netminder, especially down the stretch.
From March 10 to April 15, the veteran started 10 of 19 games to help backstop New York’s final push into the playoff picture. He won eight of those 10 starts while posting a .930 save percentage while the Islanders clinched third place in the Metropolitan Division to draw the second-place Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs.
“He’s just been solid,” star winger Mathew Barzal said. “That’s just the way he is. Whether he’s playing or not playing, his daily routine, and his habits stay the same consistently. That’s why he’s able to have success at any given time.”
Varlamov’s hot hand has carried over into the postseason despite the Islanders falling into a 3-0 series hole. He stopped 57 of 63 shots over the first two games of the series before making all eight saves in relief of Sorokin after a slow start in Game 3.
“Having Varly now when he plays, he’s the No. 1 and Sorokin is the No. 2,” Roy said. “The other day when Ilya was in net, he was the No. 1 and Varly was the No. 2. The opportunity [arose] when Varly came in halfway through [Game 3] and played really well. He’s played a big part in the reason why we made the playoffs and he certainly deserved that.”
Roy went back to Varlamov for Game 4 and he answered the call, turning away 42 of 44 shots in a 3-2 double-overtime victory — the winner scored by Barzal — to extend the Islanders’ season to a Game 5 on Tuesday night down in Raleigh, NC.
“We’re still in it which is very exciting…” Varlamov said. “I have to give our team a lot of credit. They battle… they’re never giving up.”
This is what Roy expected from his goalie — the two working together in Colorado from 2013-2016.
“He was like this in Colorado. You should’ve seen the first year I was there. He should’ve won the Vezina. He was big in the net, moving well. Right now, he’s a bit like me. We’re not moving as fast from side to side so we have to read the plays a little different. But he’s big in the net and he’s playing with so much confidence right now and that brings confidence to our guys as well.”
Islanders vs. Hurricanes Game 5 odds
- Date: Tuesday, April 30, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC
- Spread: Hurricanes -1.5 (+114)
- Hurricanes Moneyline: -238
- Islanders Moneyline: +195
- Over/Under: 5.5
Odds courtesy of DraftKings. For more, click here.
