For the second time in six days, NY Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov has picked up an injury. In the Isles' first game after the holiday break, Varlamov entered the game for the third period in relief after the Isles allowed six goals in the second. He'd finish the game, but the next day, it was announced that he picked up a knock, missing just one game before returning.
Last night, Varly left the game in the first period, as it's unclear if he's picked up something new or reaggravated the same injury from six days earlier.
In Varly's absence, the Isles recalled Ken Appleby from the Bridgeport Islanders, who backed up Ilya Sorokin in the 5-1 victory against the Washington Capitals. Appleby has been the backup in Bridgeport for the majority of the season, appearing in 11 games and posting a 2.88 GAA and .897 Sv%.
Typically in the starters crease for the B -Isles, Jakub Skarek was passed up on by Lou Lamoriello in favor of Appleby. Skarek's numbers aren't impressive by any means this season, appearing in 18 games with a 3.51 GAA and .877 SV%.
There's been no update on the extent of Varlamov's injury as of yet, but if he were to miss any length of time, it appears the Isles don't trust their third and fourth-string goaltenders to spell Sorokin every few games. Sorokin has faced the most rubber of any goaltender this season and can't take on much more of a workload.
The Isles may have to look outside their organization to replace Varlamov for the time being if necessary. Here are three goaltenders the Isles could consider.