New York Islanders News

The case against Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov was dismissed Friday after facing a misdemeanor assault charge for allegedly attacking his girlfriend.

Varlamov, 25, charged with third-degree assault November 22. The case was dismissed because prosecutors say they could not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. It appears Varlamov's legal troubles are now behind him and he can focus on hockey once again.

Semyon Varlamov
Semyon Varlamov will start in goal Monday.

Varlamov allowed one goal on 27 shots in 2-1 shootout loss against the Wild on Saturday. It was a strong outing for Varlamov but the Avalanche were stymied by Josh Harding. He will get the nod for the third time against the Stars tonight in Colorado. He is 2-0-0 with a 1.95 GAA and .943 SV% in the first two games.

Semyon Varlamov
Varlamov in net for the Avalanche.

Varlamov gave up two goals in five minutes on Thursday, but settled in and allowed just one more through regulation and overtime. He face 38 shots total in the Avs 4-3 shootout win over the Jets. He will face the Wild for the second time in two weeks. He stopped 35 of 37 shots in a 3-2 shootout win vs. Minnesota on November 30.

Semyon Varlamov
Casey Cizikas (jaw) is out tonight.

Cizikas left Thursday's game in the first period and did not return. He took a high hit that obviously caught him in the jaw. No word on the severity of Cizikas' injury, for now consider him day-to-day. This injury guarantees that Ryan Strome will make his NHL debut tonight. Cizikas

Casey Cizikas
Varlamov starts for the Avalanche.

Varlamov allowed eight goals on 28 shots in a blowout loss to the Oilers last Thursday. He was skipped over when he was scheduled to start on Sunday, but will be back in the crease tonight vs. Phoenix. He stopped 41 of 44 shots in a 4-3 OT win vs. the Coyotes on November 21.

Semyon Varlamov
Varlamov was announced as tonight's Avalanche starter on Wednesday but following a terrible outing in Edmonton, there is no official word if that is still the plan.

Varlamov allowed eight goals on 28 shots in Thursday's 8-2 loss to the Oilers. He was not pulled because J.S Giguere was scheduled to start the following day. He will be back in the cage tonight at Vancouver, a tough matchup for Varly who has been wildly inconsistent as of late.

Semyon Varlamov
Varlamov is not practicing today (maintenance). Will practice tomorrow and start Thursday in Edmonton.

After appearing in court yesterday, Varlamov will be able to travel with the team and play until his next court date which is set to be January 23. Great news for the Avalanche and Varlamov owners, because he continues to play at a high level. He stopped 35 of 37 shots in a win over the Wild on Saturday. He has a solid matchup in Edmonton on Thursday.

Semyon Varlamov
Semyon Varlamov, 25, was charged with one count of third-degree assault, a misdemeanor. Varlamov was arrested in October after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend at their Denver home on October 30.

Varlamov has been granted permission to travel with the Avalanche but is scheduled to appear in Denver County court on December 2. If convicted he could face up to six months in prison.

Semyon Varlamov
Varlamov starts Thursday.

Varlamov regained his form on Tuesday, stopped 36 of 37 shots in a 5-1 win over Chicago. The Avalanche got him out to an early 3-0 lead and he was able to coast to the finish. His three straight losses prior to Tuesday proved to us why he has a career .914 SV% and that he won't maintain a SV% above .930 all season. However he is on a good team, and .914 is not so bad, he remains a solid number-1 fantasy option.

Semyon Varlamov
Varlamov starts for the Avalanche.

Varlamov allowed four goals on 33 shots in a loss to the Panthers on Saturday. It was his fourth loss in his last five starts. After a 7-1-0 October, Varly is 2-4-0 with a 3.06 GAA and .898 SV% in November. He has a difficulties matchup with the reigning Stanley Cup Champions in town tonight.

Semyon Varlamov
Clutterbuck (upper-body) could return to the Islanders lineup tonight.

Head coach Jack Capuano did not know what his lineup would be tonight, other than Thomas Vanek being out. Clutterbuck has missed the last three games after scoring a goal and adding an assist in his first 12 games with the Islanders. They will likely announce their lineup later in the afternoon, stand-by.

Cal Clutterbuck