Varlamov stopped 26 of 28 shots in the Islanders 2-1 loss to the Capitals on Friday. Thomas Greiss had an outstanding outing vs. the Jets on Sunday, but it looks like Varlamov will go tonight vs. the Oilers. Everything is pointing towards this being a 50/50 split all season long. He faces an Edmonton team that is 2-0-0 while averaging 4.50 goals for per game so far.
Varlamov went 20-19-9 with a 2.87 GAA and .909 SV% in 49 games with Colorado last season. This summer the Avalanche let him walk in free agency, where he signed to take over for Robin Lehner in their timeshare. He draws a tough assignment for his Islanders debut with the Capitals in town.
Bear was sent to the AHL on Thursday but it was always believed to be a “paper move” while they moved Adam Larsson to LTIR. Bear is back with the big club and should be in the lineup on Saturday.
Schenn was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season but the Blues have locked him up through the 2027-28 season. Schenn failed to record a point in the season opener but is coming off of a 54-point season (17G / 37A) in 2018-19.
This is believed to be cap maneuvering with Adam Larsson going on LTIR. Bear was a minus-1 in 15:33 TOI in the season-opening win and has been replaced on the roster by Evan Bouchard, for now.
Cizikas has been dealing with a lower-body injury since the late stages of the preseason but it won’t keep him out of Friday’s season opener. Cizikas will fill a familiar fourth-line role with Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck on his wings.
Cizikas is dealing with a lower-body injury and head coach Barry Trotz said it’s too early to determine if he will be ready for the season opener. Trotz is hopeful he’ll have his fourth-line centre available, but it doesn’t sound like the injury is going to linger too deep into October.
DeAngelo emerged as a key part of the Rangers future in 2019, recording 30 points (4G / 26A) in 61 games. The coaching staff was reluctant to use DeAngelo on a nightly basis, scratching him with some regularity, but that should change in 2020. The additions of Jacob Trouba and Adam Fox adds to the competition DeAngelo has for playing time at both 5v5 and on the man-advantage.
Duclair was acquired from the Blue Jackets as a part of the Matt Duchene trade and drastically improved his numbers in Ottawa. Duclair saw over 1:30 TOI more per game with the Senators and scored eight goals with six assists (14 points) in 21 games. With a lack of talent in Ottawa heading into 2019-20, Duclair should continue to play a middle-6 role for the Senators.
Clutterbuck was hurt in Game 2 in Brooklyn but travel to Carolina for Game 3 and remains a game-time decision for Wednesday’s tilt. If looks like Michael Dal Colle will be in the lineup regardless of Clutterbuck’s status, so expect the rugged winger to replace Tom Kuhnhackl if he ends up playing.
Clutterbuck was hurt in the Islanders 2-1 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 2 and missed Tuesday’s practice. Michael Dal Colle will replace Clutterbuck in the lineup for Game 3 if he can’t play. Head coach Barry Trotz called him day-to-day, which makes him questionable for Game 3.
Varlamov allowed four goals on 36 shots in Colorado’s loss to Anaheim on March 15th. Philipp Grubauer started the last eight games, including last night, but they’ll come back to Varlamov vs. the Oilers. Varlamov has stopped 41 of the 45 shots (.911 SV%) in two starts against Edmonton this season.
