NHL Edge stats capture Semyon Varlamov's greatness last season for the NY Islanders

NHL Edge debuted last season as a new analytic offering powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that can track data in real time to deliver new player performance metrics. And while tracking speed bursts, distance skated, and hardest shots is fun for skaters, goaltender statistics are available, too.

When you take the time to dig into the goaltending statistics available on the site, they provide further perspective on just how good of a season New York Islanders "backup" goaltender Semyon Varlamov had last season, leading him to become the team's No. 1 down the stretch as the team surged to finish third in the Metropolitan Division after looking destined to miss the playoffs.

NHL Edge stats capture Semyon Varlamov's greatness last season for the NY Islanders

His superb play forced head coach Patrick Roy, who was behind the bench for arguably Varlamov's best season in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche, to start him over Ilya Sorokin, the team's franchise netminder who was the runner-up for the Vezina Trophy, a year earlier.

Among the stats NHL Edge captures are the games played by a goaltender, whether started or appearing in relief, in which that goaltender recorded a save percentage greater than .900. Varlamov ranked second, finishing two-thirds of his games (66.7%) with a save percentage over .900. Sam Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens was first (70.0%). In comparison, Sorokin was a very respectable ninth at 61.8%.

According to NHL Edge Stats, Varlamov ranked among the best in high-danger save percentages. Varly finished third in that category with a high-danger save percentage of .836%, behind only Jacob Markstron (.857) and Thatcher Demko (.845). Among the qualified goaltenders, Varlamob's 35 goals were the fewest. Sorokin was tenth in that category, finishing with a save percentage of .825%.

Having Sorokin bounce back to his Vezina form is one of the keys for the Islanders this season, but the way Varlamov played last year could lead to more in an even split in games played if Sorokin falters at the start of the year. Varlamov made GM Lou Lamoriello look wise for signing him to a four-year extension in his mid-30s last season, proving he could still be called on to perform as the team's No. 1 goaltender when necessary, even at crucial points of the season.