Sharp Semyon Varlamov blanks Avalanche as Islanders end home skid
Semyon Varlamov of the Islanders makes a save during the second period against the Avalanche at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Monday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Semyon Varlamov was outstanding while facing his former team for the first time, and so was the defense in front of him. And this time the Islanders got just enough offense in a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum.
“It feels good, I’m not going to lie,” Varlamov said. “I thought we played really well. To beat Colorado 1-0 is huge, to be honest. It’s probably the best offensive team in the NHL.”
Varlamov made 32 saves for his second shutout as an Islander since signing a four-year, $20 million deal after eight seasons with the Avalanche. Anders Lee scored at 6:54 of the third period as the Islanders avoided being shut out in back-to-back games after Saturday night’s 3-0 loss at Toronto.
The Islanders (26-12-3), who moved back into second place in the Metropolitan Division as they reached their season’s midpoint, snapped a two-game losing streak and a four-game skid at the Coliseum.
“That was a full game,” said Lee, who took defenseman Devon Toews’ feed and scored off the rush on the left with Toews setting a screen. “They haven’t come easy for us, but we stick with it. You can’t sulk. You can’t get down. You’ve just got to keep going.
“Tonight was just one of those nights where you just needed one,” added Lee, who had an exaggerated celebration after scoring his first goal in six games. “But you have a goaltender like that and our defensive commitment gives us a chance every night.”
The Avalanche, who entered Monday with an NHL-high 156 goals in 42 games, went 0-for-2 without a shot on the power play. The NHL’s second-leading scorer, Nathan MacKinnon (25 goals, 39 assists), was held without a point.
Pavel Francouz stopped 32 shots for the Avalanche (25-14-4).
Even with the victory, the Islanders have been held to two or fewer goals in five of their last seven games, and coach Barry Trotz repeated before the game that the team needs more from its top-six forwards. Josh Bailey has one assist in his last 11 games, Anthony Beauvillier has one assist in nine games and Jordan Eberle has gone without a point in six games.
“We needed a win,” Matt Martin said. “We really haven’t been able to break it offensively. But we found a way in the type of game presented to us. Listen, we’d love to score four or five goals a game, don’t get me wrong. But for some reason, it’s not finding the back of the net right now. We’ve had a lot of opportunities over the last little while. You go through lulls like this during the season.”
Varlamov kept the game scoreless going into the third period by stopping 15 shots in the second period. That included a pad save on defenseman Ryan Graves’ two-on-one chance at 4:21 and a glove save on Nazem Kadri’s backhander as he skated to the crease at 11:11.
In the third, Varlamov was strong with his right pad to deny Gabriel Landeskog at the post at 10:18.
“I played for them a long time,” Varlamov said. “Of course this one is a special one.”
Avalanche defenseman Nikita Zadorov scored an apparent goal at 13:51 of the second period, but Trotz gave credit to video coordinator Matt DeMado and assistant Corey Smith for a successful challenge that Andre Burakovsky was offside as the puck went high into the Islanders’ zone.
“They were adamant it was offside,” Trotz said. “Really, if they score that first goal, I don’t know if we have the same mindset. Varly was the first star. These guys might be one-B. That was huge for us.”
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
