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New York Islanders: Give Semyon Varlamov A Chance

By Matt O'Leary

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 04: Semyon Varlamov #40 of the New York Islanders takes a first period water break during the game against the Washington Capitals at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on October 04, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 04: Semyon Varlamov #40 of the New York Islanders takes a first period water break during the game against the Washington Capitals at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on October 04, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Through two games the stats don’t look too great for the New York Islanders new goalie Semyon Varlamov. There’s more to the story though.

People overreact on twitter, (I know what am I going to say next that the sun came up today?) and the overreaction to Semyon Varlamov’s first two starts with the New York Islanders has been peak twitter.

Varlamov is on a short leash to fans, to begin with, because he’s replacing a fan favorite, Robin Lehner. Yes, I would’ve preferred Lehner as well but Varlamov is a fine NHL goalie and basing your decision on his contract on two games is just wild.

He has an .872 save percentage and a 4.11 goals against average after two starts, on paper it looks bad but there’s more to the story.

On Tuesday night when he got pulled, you could make the case that only one of the goals should’ve been stopped. The others either came on a power play or on plays where Varly had no chance to do anything and it was on a defender (ie. Ryan Pulock falling down).

In 5v5 situations, Varlamov has a .917 save percentage and a 1.92 goals against average according to Natural Stat Trick. Varlamov’s .917 5v5 save percentage is 24th out of 50 goalies eligible (top half of the league).

If you wanted to look at his goals against average, that’s even better. He’s 18th in the league in goals against average on 5v5. Right now, his starts are skewed because the Isles have struggled on the penalty kill in both of his starts. It’s going to come back to earth, just give it time.

Shall I remind you that in Robin Lehner’s second start last year he allowed 4 goals and had an .857 save percentage against Nashville? Just give it time.

Isles Tweet of the Day

https://twitter.com/NYIslanders/status/1182056335438995457

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