3 Takeaways: Isles Shut Out Rangers 3-0

The New York Islanders seem to like playing at Madison Square Garden.
After Friday's 3-0 shutout win over the Blueshirts, the Isles improved to 17-5-0 in their last 22 games on Broadway. Head Coach Barry Trotz was asked why he felt his team seemed to elevate their game at MSG.
"Rivalry," Trotz said. "Plus we don't like them."

A host of familiar faces led the way, with Semyon Varlamov stopping 27 shots for his fourth-straight shutout at MSG, while Mathew Barzal (1G, 1A), Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin scored for the Islanders. The win was the Islanders third-straight overall.

VARLAMOV GOES BACK-TO-BACK:

Semyon Varlamov hadn't started consecutive games all season before Tuesday and Thursday this week, but on Friday night, the Islanders goaltender wound up going back-to-back and playing on consecutive nights.
Varlamov seemed unfazed by the sudden uptick in work, stopping all 27 shots for his second shutout of the season in the Islanders win at Madison Square Garden.
"He's a good pro, he takes care of his body," Trotz said of Varlamov going back-to-back. "Varlamov told me last night I'm feeling great. I'm ready and good to go. He didn't even have to wait till the morning. He's in tune with what he's capable of doing and how his body is feeling."
ISLANDERS 3, RANGERS 0
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Full Highlights
Postgame: Trotz
Postgame: Barzal and Martin
Postgame: Cizikas and Johnston
KINGER'S CALLS
Cizikas Opens the Scoring
Martin Finishes Barzal's Feed
Barzal's 300th Point
The 33-year-old came up with a key stop early, gloving a Dryden Hunt backhander from in tight in the first period. He was perfect all the way through, slowing the game down when the Rangers were looking to build some momentum, outshooting the Isles 12-7 in the second period.
He caught a few breaks in the third, as Andrew Copp put a shorthanded chance through the crease, while Filip Chytil couldn't stuff in a shot at the side of the net with an open net. Rangers leading scorer Artemi Panarin also put a shot off the post early in the first period.
Varlamov is now 6-1-1 in his last eight decisions after going on a six-game losing streak from Jan. 22 to Mar. 7.
Perhaps most impressively, Varlamov now has four-straight shutouts at Madison Square Garden, dating back to last season.
"Honestly I didn't even know that," Cizikas said. "That's a great stat for us and we love playing in this arena and we love playing against these guys and every time he's in net he gives us a chance to win."

CIZIKAS AND MARTIN LIGHT LAMP FOR ISLES:

Friday night's game felt eerily familiar to Feb. 8, 2021, where Varlamov backstopped the 2-0 win with a 30-save shutout, with Cizikas and Martin netting third period goals.
The longtime Islanders have played in plenty of games against the Rangers and tend to find ways to make an impact in the rivalry matchup. Add Friday night to the list.
Cizikas made a splash early, opening the scoring at the 2:40 mark of the first period, posting up at the net and tapping in a backdoor feed from Ryan Pulock, who kept the puck in at the blue line before skating the puck through the slot and dishing to Cizikas. The goal was Cizikas' third in 40 games against the Rangers - all three are game-winners.
Cizikas was also key on the Islanders perfect penalty kill, which went 3-for-3, logging 2:44 shorthanded, the most of any Islanders forward on Friday.
Martin extended the Islanders lead in the second period, burying his third goal of the season at 4:48. Martin was the beneficiary of a Barzal feed, as the center found the trailing winger after rushing up the ice with Ross Johnston, who entered the lineup in place of Kieffer Bellows.

Video: NYI@NYR: Barzal beats Shesterkin for his 300th point

BARZAL BRINGS IT:

Mathew Barzal always seems to bring his A-game when he takes on the Rangers.
Barzal recorded a pair of points (1G, 1A) against the Rangers on Friday, upping his total to 28 (8G, 20A) in 23-career games vs the Blueshirts - the most vs any opponent in his NHL career. Barzal has 17 points (7G, 10A) in 12 games at MSG.
"Just any player that comes into MSG gets a little more fired up, there's so much history, walking to the game in the city, it's a fun atmosphere," Barzal said. "Aside from that, it's just the Islanders-Rangers rivalry. We want our fans at the end of the day to celebrate after games against them, so that just fires me and our team up a little bit more."
The 24-year-old made a slick move to make it 3-0 game early in the third period, taking an Oliver Wahlstrom feed before cutting across the net and backhanding a goal far side on Shesterkin. The goal marked his 300th-career point.

Barzal played a central role in the Isles' 2-0 score as well, carrying the puck into the Rangers' end off a turnover before putting on the brakes and finding a trailing Matt Martin.
The speedy center said it may have taken him a little longer to get back up to speed following an ankle injury that kept him out for six games in late February/early March, but he looks like his usual dynamic self. Barzal has six points (2G, 4A) in his last three games, recording two points in each contest - including a highlight-reel breakaway on Thursday vs Columbus.

NEXT GAME:

The Islanders take on another Tri-State rival when they visit the New Jersey Devils on Sunday afternoon. Puck drop is at 4 p.m.