Islanders: Semyon Varlamov out of Game 2 after Brayden Point collision

Semyon Varlamov was forced from the crease in the first period of Game 2 of the New York Islanders semi-final series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Not because he allowed a ton of rubber to go through him, but because of a collision with Brayden Point.

The collision came with just six minutes left in the opening frame. As Point crashed the net, Adam Pelech cross-checked the Lightning forward who went barrelling into Varlamov.

Varly got up after the play but went off to the dressing room. Sorokin stepped in for him.

UPDATE: Varlamov was back out to start the second period.

New York Islanders Semyon Varlamov out from Game 2

If you didn’t see the play live here it is. It doesn’t look for Varlamov. We don’t know if Varlamov was called into the room by the concussion spotters in the arena or if there’s something more to this. We have yet to hear if Varlamov is officially out for the rest of the game.

The talking point on this play won’t be the injury but will instead be how the Islanders ended up with a power-play for some reason. A power play that the Isles were able to convert on thanks to Brock Nelson.

How that play results in a goaltender interference penalty for Point is beyond me. What was he supposed to do in that situation exactly?

The fact that the Isles got the power play and then scored on it will do little to quell the “New York Saints” narrative that’s been going around since the Boston series.

Again, we have yet to find out if Varly is officially done for the night, but I would imagine so. With Sorokin, the Islanders have a capable backup who’s come in for Varly before and done well. So if Varlamov needs a day to rest after that hit, the Islanders and Varlamov won’t have to worry about the crease.