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NY Islanders: Three Stars of the Week, 10/30/23- 11/5/23

The Islanders had a bit of a mixed week, with a crucial shutout win sandwiched between two frustrating overtime losses. But they earned four points in three games and remain in good shape at 5-2-3 overall.

By Joe Lazar |
Semyon Varlamov shut out his former team in Washington on Thursday night.
Semyon Varlamov shut out his former team in Washington on Thursday night. / Mitchell Leff/GettyImages
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This past week, the NY Islanders went 1-0-2 against three Eastern Conference opponents, losing two frustrating overtime games around an impressive road divisional shutout. While those two OT losses were not ideal, the Isles still managed to pick up at least a point in every game this week and are off to a perfectly cromulent 5-2-3 start to the season.

Without further ado, here are the Three Stars of the Week for 10/20-11/5:

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

With goals in back-to-back games this week, Simon Holmstrom has continued to impress for the Islanders. A breakout season from Holmstrom would be a positive development for the Islanders... Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson each put up three points in three games... Scott Mayfield returned to the lineup not a moment too soon, with Adam Pelech leaving the lineup with a hip injury...

THIRD STAR:

Horvat has been scoring more this season for the Islanders, which is a good sign moving forward.
Horvat has been scoring more this season for the Islanders, which is a good sign moving forward. / Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

Bo Horvat. Horvat had a strong week, with a goal and three assists in the three games. Horvat played a strong game overall against Detroit, forcing a couple of odd-man rushes and breakaways while also scoring the game-tying goal to salvage a point for the Isles. However, one demerit from that game was the Red Wings' winning goal in OT, where Horvat inexplicably failed to clear the zone, allowing Lucas Raymond to score the winning goal on an odd-man rush.

But it's unfair to allow one blemish to destroy an otherwise solid week, and Bo is now up to four goals and five assists in the first ten games, nearing the PPG mark for an Islanders team that sorely needs that offensive contribution. Horvat has also continued to be an important leader for a team that thrives on strong chemistry in the locker room.

SECOND STAR:

Dobson is enjoying a breakout season so far in 2023-2024 for the Islanders.
Dobson is enjoying a breakout season so far in 2023-2024 for the Islanders. / Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

Noah Dobson. Dobson has continued to be a star for the Islanders, who will sorely need this to continue in the wake of Adam Pelech's hip injury. This week, Dobson had a goal and two assists in three games and is now up to three goals and seven assists in 10 games. While scoring a point-per-game is great, where Dobson has really flourished is defensively, where his game has reached another level from previous seasons. And importantly, this defensive improvement has not caused Dobson to sacrifice any offense; if anything, he's adding offense. With ten points in ten games after scoring 100 points over the last two seasons, Dobson continues to emerge as a star for the Isles.

Dobson opened the scoring last night for the Isles with one of the prettiest-looking goals of his career. Cutting in on his backhand in the face of former All-Star defenseman Jacob Slavin, Dobson showed patience, burying his shot past the blocker of Anti Raanta.

And with Pelech's injury, Dobson will now be expected to take over as the Isles' de facto #1 defenseman- a role I believe he is ready to fill. This week proved that he is more than ready for the opportunity.

FIRST STAR:

Semyon Varlamov has been at the top of his game this season, which has been sorely needed with Ilya Sorokin's surprising struggles.
Semyon Varlamov has been at the top of his game this season, which has been sorely needed with Ilya Sorokin's surprising struggles. / Patrick Smith/GettyImages

Semyon Varlamov. The Islanders got a much-needed shutout victory in Washington on Thursday night, thanks to the goaltending heroics of Varlamov. Varly- whose four-year, $11M contract extension was widely criticized this offseason for being too long and too expensive- continues to show why having such a secure backup is so important in this league. In particular, the elite duo is the heartbeat of the Islanders, who have built themselves around their strong goaltending.

Ilya Sorokin has been off to a solid start this season, saving 2.7 goals above expected at even strength through seven games this season. However, Varlamov has stolen the show in his three starts, with 6.4 goals saved above expected, two shutouts in three starts, and a .972 (!!) save percentage. Having Sorokin and Varlamov is the key for the Isles as they continue to prove that they are the best goaltending duo in the NHL.

WHAT'S NEXT?

A typical New York-Boston showdown.
A typical New York-Boston showdown. / Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

This upcoming week will see the Isles host the Minnesota Wild, followed by games against the unbelievably good Boston Bruins on the road and Washington Capitals at home before heading on a road trip to Edmonton, Vancouver, Seattle, and Calgary.

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