Varlamov earns first win in 712 days as Islanders edge Predators in shootout
Goaltender Semyon Varlamov made 20 saves in his return to the ice, securing a victory after a long recovery from injury.
Seven-hundred and twelve long days after his last NHL victory, goaltender Semyon Varlamov skated off the ice Tuesday evening with a win in hand. The Islanders defeated the Predators 4-3 in a shootout, with Bo Horvat scoring the decisive goal.
Varlamov's last win came on November 14, 2024. Since then, he underwent two partial knee replacements and faced a career-threatening recovery period. His return marks a significant personal achievement after nearly two years away from the game.
Beyond Varlamov's goaltending, the Islanders' skaters showed renewed energy and physicality, a response to coach Pete DeBoer's challenge after a recent loss. The team adopted an 11-forward, seven-defenseman alignment.
The Islanders established an early lead, going up 3-0 in the second period after a sustained offensive zone possession that concluded with Bo Horvat scoring off a feed from Matthew Schaefer. However, the Predators mounted a comeback.
Filip Forsberg scored on the power play in the second period, narrowing the deficit to 3-1. Later in the period, Alexander Kerfoot brought the Predators within a goal. In the third period, Ryan O'Reilly tied the game, capitalizing on a rebound.
Despite being outplayed at times in the third period and requiring defensive scrambles to force overtime, the Islanders ultimately secured the win. After an extended offensive sequence following a delayed penalty call, Kyle Palmieri and Horvat scored in the shootout.
The victory was particularly meaningful given the Islanders' historical struggles at Bridgestone Arena, where their last win dated back to 2017. The team now faces a challenging stretch of upcoming games against Stanley Cup contenders, making this win a crucial confidence boost.