Islanders Semyon Varlamov Given NHL's Third Star of the Week

Islanders goalie, Semyon Varlamov was put in a little bit of a tough spot this past week. Ilya Sorokin, who has been the lead goalie for the Islanders, got hurt and as a result, they've been riding Semyon Varlamov.

Well, he's taken the opportunity and ran with it. Varlamov has been excellent for the Islanders of late. In fact, he won the NHL's third star of the week.

In the three games that Varlamov played for the Islanders this week, he stopped 99 of 104 shots faced for a .952 save percentage. Over that stretch, the Islanders won three straight games including yet another shutout for Semyon Varlamov against the rival New York Rangers.

His solid play doesn't stop there. In fact, he is 5-1-0 in his last six starts with a .938 save percentage over that span. For the most part, 2021-2022 has been on the rocky side for Semyon Varlamov but his numbers are starting to return to the norm.

He is now up to a .919 save percentage and a 2.68 goals against average. Obviously, that goals against is a touch on the high side but everyone would sign up for a .919 save percentage from their goalie and he's technically not even the starter for this team. In the absence of Ilya Sorokin though, he's beginning to look like his 2021 self which had him finish fifth in Vezina voting just a season ago.

He garnered interest at the trade deadline but the Islanders elected to hold on to him. We'll see if those discussions pick back up after the season but for now I think everyone will sign up for that stellar play that we've seen from him lately.