New York Islanders News

Varlamov will be back in between the pipes vs. Minnesota on Saturday.

Varlamov was yanked after 40 minutes after allowing five goals on 38 shots in Colorado's 5-0 loss to the Wild on Thursday. It was not entirely Varlamov's fault, the Avs simply were not ready for the Wild who came out flying. Minny set a franchise record with 48 shots on the night, don't expect that to happen again, look for Varly to bounce-back on home ice.

Semyon Varlamov
Schneider will start in goal vs. Panthers on Saturday.

Schneider stopped 35 of 39 shots in the Devils 6-4 win over the Flyers on Thursday. Schneider was given a three-goal lead but it slipped away in the final five minutes of the second. Surprisingly, the Devils provided him a ton of goal support, something he didn't get a lot of last season and shouldn't get used to this year. He will face a Florida team who lost their opener to the Lightning in OT.

Cory Schneider
Panik replacing Matt Frattin on the Maple Leafs third line.

Panik was claimed off of waivers from the Lightning on Wednesday and it looks like he will play on the Maple Leafs third line with Peter Holland and Daniel Winnik on Saturday. Panik has a lot of offensive skill, but still needs to work on the defensive part of his game.

Richard Panik
Varlamov will face Kuemper in Minnesota tonight.

Varlamov went 1-2 with a 2.31 GAA and .913 SV% in three preseason outings. Despite some legal troubles last season, Varly turned-in a great season in his first under head coach Patrick Roy. He led the NHL in wins (41) and finished with the league's third highest SV% (.927) and 20th GAA (2.41). The Avalanche appear ready to make another playoff push and they will lean heavily on Varlamov to get them there.

Semyon Varlamov
The Maple Leafs have claimed Richard Panik off of waivers from Tampa Bay.

Panik, 23, was the Lightning's second round pick (53rd overall) in 2009. He has a lot of skill and upside, but could't find his way in Tampa, posting just eight goals and 14 assists (22 points) in 75 career games. A year ago I don't think the Maple Leafs make this claim, but with a new direction and focus on scoring goals and puck possession, Panik seems to fit their future plans.

Richard Panik
Schneider will start on Thursday vs. the Flyers.

Martin Brodeur is gone and now it is Schneider's turn to make a mark in Devils history. He had a strong first season and followed it up with a nice preseason, going 2-1 with a 1.62 GAA and .932 SV%. He has one of the NHL's oldest teams playing in front of him and they aren't going to be the highest scoring team, but should be strong defensively which will help Schneider post sod numbers across the board. He is a low-end number-1 due to lack of talent up front.

Cory Schneider
Varlamov expected to get the start on Thursday.

Varlamov went 1-2 with a 2.31 GAA and .913 SV% in three preseason outings. Despite some legal troubles last season, Varly turned-in a great season in his first under head coach Patrick Roy. He led the NHL in wins (41) and finished with the league's third highest SV% (.927) and 20th GAA (2.41). The Avalanche appear ready to make another playoff push and they will lean heavily on Varlamov to get them there.

Semyon Varlamov
Duclair has made the Rangers and will be in their opening day lineup.

Duclair, 19, was the Rangers third round pick (80th overall) in 2013. He had a great training camp after posted 50 goals and 49 assists (99 points) in 59 games with the Quebec Remparts (QMJHL). He will start his NHL career on New York's third line with J.T Miller and Lee Stempniak.

Anthony Duclair
The Islanders signed Casey Cizikas to a two-year, $2 million deal on Tuesday.

Cizikas, 23, plays a strong two-way game. He had six goals and 10 assists (16 points) in 80 games with the Isles last season. He averaged 13:22 TOI per game, and 2:25 of that was spent on the penalty kill. That led all Islanders forwards and ranked fourth on the team.

Casey Cizikas
Varlamov starts in goal for game 7.

Varlamov surrendered three goals on 21 shots in the 5-2 game 6 loss in Minnesota. The home team has won every game in this series, so the Avalanche have that going for them, but the will need to be much better than they were on Monday. Varly was a bit off in game 6 and has not had all that much success in his first three game 7's--he has gone 1-2 with a 2.99 GAA and .857 SV%.

Semyon Varlamov
Varlamov will start in goal for Game 6.

Varlamov allowed three goals on 32 shots in a 4-3 overtime win in game 5. The Avalanche will look to finish the Wild's season tonight in Minnesota. They get a big boost with Matt Duchene (knee) returning to the lineup. Varly has a 2.33 GAA and .931 SV% in the first five games.

Semyon Varlamov
Varlamov starts for the Avalanche.

Varlamov was sensational for the Avalanche this season. He led the NHL with 41 wins and posted a strong 2.41 GAA and .927 SV%. He has won seven of his last eight starts and comes into the playoffs as the leagues' hottest netminder. He was 3-0-1 with a 2.16 GAA and .929 SV% vs. the Wild this season.

Semyon Varlamov
Varlamov will start Sunday.

Varlamov stopped 38 of 40 shots in a win over the Canucks on Thursday. He set the new Avalanche franchise record with 41 regular season wins. Varlamov has been unreal as of late, having won seven of his last eight starts. The Avalanche will give him the nod tonight to try and win the Central Division a season after finishing 29th in the NHL.

Semyon Varlamov
Varlamov starts Thursday for the Avalanche.

Varlamov stopped 30 of 32 shots in a shootout loss to the Penguins on Sunday. He was given Tuesday night off, but will be back in goal tonight in Vancouver. With a win tonight, Varlamov will break head coach Patrick Roy's record for most wins in a single season with 41. He is 6-0-1 in his last seven with only 14 goals against, get him in your lineup.

Semyon Varlamov