Islanders beat Predators in shootout as goaltender Semyon Varlamov gets first win since November 2024

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Semyon Varlamov spent countless hours with some painful, lonely moments through his rehab from two partial knee replacement surgeries. His attempt to return to the Islanders following those procedures was unprecedented. Naturally, the goalie questioned whether he would ever win another NHL game, let alone play in one.

It took nearly two years and still it wasn’t easy. Varlamov was staked to a three-goal lead midway through the match before the Predators started pressuring the Islanders into mistakes and tied it. That’s why the celebratory hug from his teammates after Tuesday night’s 4-3 shootout win over the Predators at Bridgestone Arena was so emotionally meaningful.

“A very special moment,” said Varlamov, 38, whose last win had come on Nov. 14, 2024, 15 days before playing his last game before a layoff that lasted until this season.

“Like, a year ago, to be honest, I didn’t see this coming. It was such a grind the last two years to get to this point when you have an opportunity to play and compete at the highest level in the world. I’m very thankful for this opportunity. I wanted to thank everybody who was involved in the rehab and the surgery. Very, very proud of everybody.”

That’s why the cheers and volume in the Islanders’ dressing room was as loud as it’s been after a victory this season.

“Oh God, yeah,” said captain Bo Horvat, who clinched the win with a goal in the second round of the shootout after Kyle Palmieri netted one in the first round and Varlamov turned aside Ryan O’Reilly and Filip Forsberg. “Everybody is so happy for him. He’s worked so hard.”

“It’s a great game for Varly and for our team,” said No. 1 goalie Ilya Sorokin, who watched his close friend and fellow Russian nervously from the bench. “Really happy for him. He deserves this like no one.”

Meanwhile, defenseman Matthew Schaefer became the first NHL player in history to be on the ice for all five minutes of overtime, as he logged a career-high 32:16. That came thanks to a long delayed penalty against Forsberg for tripping Schaefer and then two minutes of four-on-three play.

The Islanders were 0-for-5 on the man advantage and coach Pete DeBoer dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen for the first time this season. Fourth-liner Kyle MacLean was a healthy scratch after playing the previous three matches and defenseman Scott Mayfield dressed for just the third time this season.

Varlamov, in his fourth start of his comeback, made 20 saves as the Islanders (6-4-2) snapped a two-game losing streak. Juuse Saros stopped 25 shots for the Predators (4-3-5), who tied it at 3-3 at 4:16 of the third period on a goal from O’Reilly shortly after he exited the penalty box.

It was Varlamov’s second start in three matches after making 24 saves in a 3-2 loss to the Kings at UBS Arena on Thursday. That was his first home start since Nov. 25, 2024.

“I treat every game like just another regular season game,” Varlamov said. “You can’t treat one game like a big game. They’re all big games. We are battling for the points and every game is very important. Of course it was sitting in my mind, when are you going to get that first win?”

Varlamov seemed well on his way after Anthony Duclair’s four-on-four goal and Brayden Schenn’s tally at the crease — his 300th career goal — made it 2-0 after the first period. Horvat’s one-timer pushed it to 3-0 at 1:08 of the second period.

But Forsberg connected on the power play and Alex Kerfoot pounced on a puck at the crease to bring the Predators within 3-2 by 13:02 of the second period.

Varlamov didn’t wither and has justified the Islanders’ faith that he was a viable candidate to be this season’s backup despite no other hockey player — let alone a goalie — returning from two partial knee replacements.

DeBoer said he was sure of that faith the day after Varlamov stopped 19 of 22 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Rangers on Oct. 6 when he reported no discomfort.

“He was huge when we needed him to be,” DeBoer said. “He’s building his game. After missing all that time, I think every night out that we’ve rolled him out there, he’s been a little bit better and a little bit more comfortable. He was our best player tonight.

“The discussions in the summer were I don’t think anyone was sure because it’s such an unheard of comeback.”

Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche signed journeyman Vitek Vanecek as insurance in case Varlamov could not complete his comeback. Varlamov had played two AHL games in April, including one postseason start, to prove to team brass, as well as himself, that he was a viable option for this season.

“The way he put everything into his rehab, there’s no way I could not have given him a chance,” Darche said. “All summer he told me, ‘Hey, I feel great. If you trust me, I’m ready to go.’ ”

The trust was repaid. Varlamov finally earned the victory he wondered if he’d ever get.

By Andrew Gross

andrew.gross@newsday.comAGrossNewsday

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.