Semyon Varlamov played half a game. In the NHL. This is a boost the Islanders need.
Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov and defenseman Scott Mayfield at Madison Square Garden on September 22, 2026. Credit: Ed Murray
It was just the second half of a preseason game, 30:15 of ice time to be exact.
But make no mistake. What Semyon Varlamov showed by stopping all nine shots he faced in Tuesday night’s 4-3 win over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden is compelling evidence that the Islanders’ belief he could make an unprecedented return to be their backup goalie and play 25-30 games this season despite undergoing two partial knee replacement surgeries that have kept him out of NHL action since Nov. 29, 2024, was completely justified.
No disrespect to the well-traveled Vitek Vanecek, competing with Varlamov to be Ilya Sorokin’s understudy, but Varlamov is the more talented of the two. Having him healthy and available would be a boon to the Islanders’ chances of returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2024 and perhaps winning a series for the first time since 2021.
Varlamov, at his best, can alleviate Sorokin’s workload.
There’s a long way to go no matter how promising Tuesday was. But Varlamov’s ability to get through his performance unscathed provided an emotional boost to the organization. His teammates gathered around the net after the final buzzer to hug Varlamov, which left the 38-year-old goalie emotional.
“It means a lot,” said Varlamov, entering the final season of a four-year, $11 million deal.
“What do you say about him?” coach Pete DeBoer said. “What a pro. It’s just really impressive when you think about what he’s gone through in the last year and how hard he’s worked to come back. Even the situation [against the Rangers]. He’s playing the second half of the game so he’s going in there cold. I think it’s inspirational to our group.”
Four of Varlamov’s stops came with the Rangers skating six-on-five and looking for the equalizer late in the third period. He turned aside Alexis Lafreniere skating hard to the crease earlier in the third period.
Varlamov was square to the puck. He anticipated the puck movement well.
“We didn’t give up too much,” Varlamov said. “All of the shots we kept them to the outside. I went out there in the second period and made a few good saves and I started feeling good about myself. Just try to go out there and have some fun.
“It was very exciting. Very exciting. I haven’t played in this league for a while and playing a preseason game at MSG is always a great time. This is one of the best arenas to play in. Just a great atmosphere overall.”
Varlamov went down into his butterfly stance smoothly. Of more importance, he got back up without discomfort.
In fact, for all the pain and rehab of having two partial knee replacements, Varlamov said, remarkably, he doesn’t notice his knees at all now. That wasn’t the case until March.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Varlamov said. “I don’t have to do anything. The knees are feeling good. Next time I’ll be playing a full game and then I really want to see how everything responds. It will be important for me to get through the game and get the whole game.”
That is the next test.
The Islanders conclude their four-game preseason schedule hosting the Rangers and Devils at UBS Arena on Friday and Saturday nights, respectively.
Varlamov will play one of those matches and Sorokin the other. And if all goes well, it’s on to Toronto for the regular-season opener on Sept. 30. Just a projection, but it might not be until the season’s fourth game, against Chicago at UBS Arena on Oct. 8, before DeBoer gives Sorokin a night off.
Varlamov did play in two AHL games at the end of last season, showing enough in those two matches to give Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche a strong hope he’d be able to back up Sorokin this season.
“I think seeing Semyon back in net is awesome,” said defenseman Isaiah George, who dressed for the Islanders on Tuesday and was also in the lineup for the two AHL matches Varlamov started. “He’s an important part of our team and I know even in Bridgeport when he made that initial comeback of just playing games, it was awesome to see the dedication, the perseverance to go through what he went through and come out on top. I just feel so happy for him.”
The Islanders should feel happy Varlamov has gotten to this point. They are a better team if he’s healthy and on the roster.
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.
