The conversation was a short one between coach Barry Trotz and Semyon Varlmaov. The goalie related that he felt good enough to start on back-to-back nights for the Islanders.
So Varlamov was in net for a third straight game with Ilya Sorokin (upper body) remaining unavailable as the Islanders faced the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Friday night, marking the first time he had started on back-to-back nights as an Islander.
Varlamov, starting consecutive games for the first time this season, made 30 saves in Thursday night’s 5-2 win over the Blue Jackets at UBS Arena.
“I said, ‘Let me know tomorrow,’” Trotz said of their post-game chat on Thursday. “He said, ‘I don’t have to let you know tomorrow. I’m feeling really good. I wasn’t too taxed and I’d like to have the game tomorrow.’”
Cory Schneider, on emergency recall from the Islanders’ Ahl affiliate in Bridgeport, was the other option but he has not played in an NHL game since March 6, 2020.
Last season, Varlamov became the first goalie in NHL history to shut out the Rangers three times at the Garden in one season.
Sorokin skated on his own Friday, the second straight day he’s been on ice, and Trotz said the team was hopeful Sorokin would skate on Saturday as well even though the Islanders will be off.
But Trotz was still unsure whether Sorokin would be available against the Devils on Sunday afternoon at Prudential Center.
“At this moment, I’m just leaving it up to him,” Trotz said. “We’ll see where we are after [Saturday].”
Isles files
Butch Goring returned to the MSG Networks’ broadcast booth after missing time because of a procedure on his shoulder…Defenseman Andy Greene participated in the pregame warmups but was held out of the lineup for a second straight game.
Read More: Islanders’ Semyon Varlamov good to go back-to-back nights