Islanders Semyon Varlamov sets franchise playoff shutout streak

Semyon Varlamov has set the New York Islanders playoff shutout record in Game 2 against the Philadelphia Flyers.

New York Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov only needed forty seconds to take the franchise-record shutout streak from Hall of Fame goalie Billy Smith.

With a shutout against the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of the first round and then another shutout against the Flyers in Game 1 of the second round, Varlamov was sitting with a 136:20 shutout streak going into Game 2 versus the Flyers.

With an early forecheck by the Islanders in Game 2, Varlamov easily established the longest playoff shutout streak in Islanders playoff history.

With a Kevin Hayes goal 1:57 into the game, Varlamov’s (and now the Isles) shutout streak is officially set at 138:17.

Got His Man

The Islanders goalie has been a top performer in the 2020 postseason. Going into Game 2, Varly leads all goalie with eight wins. At 5o5n is 0.968SV%, 0.77GAA, and 7.47GSAA leads all goalies who’ve played more than two games in the playoffs.

(Stats from NaturalStatTrick)

Varlamov, who was brought in during the 2019 free agency period on a four-year $20 million ($5 million AAV), has been good but not great for the Isles in the regular season with a 0.914SV% and 2.62GAA.

Lou Lamoriello had been chasing Varly since he took over on the Island, and in July he finally got his man.

With the Islanders strong defensive system, Semyon Varlamov was able to get back to his best hockey. We often forget that Varlamov was a Vezina finalist (finished second in Vezina voting) back in 2013-14. He was also fourth in Hart Trophy voting that season thanks to 41 wins and a 2.41GAA and 0.927SV% in 60 starts for the Colorado Avalanche.

Varlamov has been absolutely stellar in the playoffs for the Islanders. With that being said, at the time of writing, Varlamov was subbed out after 15 minutes with the Islanders down 3-0.