Varlamov to Start for Islanders for First Time in Two Years

After 676 days, two partial knee replacements and 22 months of extensive rehab, Semyon Varlamov will start for the New York Islanders on Tuesday night against the New York Rangers, Head Coach Pete DeBoer confirmed.  

It’ll be Varlamov’s first regular season start since Nov. 29, 2024, and it’ll come in an arena he’s historically dominated. The 38-year-old is 5-1-0 in his six starts with the Islanders at Madison Square Garden with a .950 save percentage, a 1.55 goals-against average and four shutouts. 

JG Pageau knew from Day 1 of Varlamov’s rehab that he’d be back in the starter’s net for the Islanders. Pageau said he had a “feeling” Varlamov would be able to conquer the improbable and start for the Isles again.

“He gave that vibe that I'm gonna do it, I'll be the first one in history to ever do it, and I think we all felt it,” Pageau said. “Since his first day that he started his rehab, you could see in his face that he was coming back,” Pageau added. “It was good inspiration for everyone, and shows the amount of determination that he has, and that was contagious in the locker room. Just to see him come to the rink with a smile on his face, getting better every day, and we're so happy for him. Can't wait to have him behind us.”

Varlamov has dominated at MSG in his 18-year NHL career with a 10-3-1 record. He has a .928 save percentage and a 2.29 goals-against average in those games. 

In his six seasons with the Islanders he’s worked a .916 save percentage and a 2.57 goals-against average. He backstopped the Isles to the 2020 Eastern Conference Final and the 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals as part of his impressive 621-game NHL career. 

Ryan Pulock and Pageau have both been teammates with Varlamov since 2019 and 2020, respectively, and watched his lengthy recovery. They both appreciated what their teammate has gone through, with Pulock saying that even six months ago – before Varlamov played a pair of AHL games with Bridgeport – an NHL return was not guaranteed. 

However, Varlamov will get a chance to show the hockey world why he’s worked tirelessly to get back on the ice and it’s the kind of effort his teammates in front of him will work to reciprocate. Pulock, meanwhile, said it will be a night to remember at MSG.

“Every morning when we were at home, especially non-game days, he was there and game days after the game, he was there,” Pulock said. “You're walking by him, he's such a positive guy, such a good teammate. Along the way he was there for us the whole time, rooting us on when he was going through it. I think it's really incredible. I don't know if it really gets talked about as much as maybe it should of what he went through, the surgeries he had, and the chances of coming back as a goalie at his age. It's never really been done, and I don't really know if it will be done again. And it's really impressive what he's been able to accomplish to his body in a position to play.”

DeBoer said his team has taken note of Varlamov’s efforts in the gym and the training room. 

He also noted that Tuesday’s matchup made sense for Varlamov to get a shot and didn’t want him to continue waiting for his opportunity. DeBoer said despite the early season implications of a Metropolitan Division game, there’s an overwhelming confidence that Varlamov can deliver and create a standout tandem with Ilya Sorokin.

“I know a lot of people would probably say, ‘well, it's the Rangers and it's a must-win and  division game, and you should be starting Sorokin,’ but I really believe with what I saw in Varly that we have two very good goalies,” DeBoer said. "If Varly plays the way I feel that he's going to play as the season goes on, whether it's tonight or as we go forward, I think we're going to be comfortable playing both guys in whatever building we're in and whatever divisional game we're in which is a great luxury to have. I think that's my vision, and why not jump into that early.”