Semyon Varlamov exits game with apparent injury in Islanders scare

DENVER — Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov exited Tuesday night’s 5-4 loss to the Avalanche after just 14:52 with an apparent injury, with Ilya Sorokin coming in relief.

Varlamov previously missed the Dec. 29 win over Washington with an undisclosed injury, with Ken Appleby dressing for the Islanders as Varlamov’s backup.

The Isles appeared to have put the situation behind them when Varlamov returned to the bench to back up Sorokin on Sunday in Pittsburgh, but evidently not.

Asked whether this was the same injury, head coach Lane Lambert replied, I have no idea. I dont even know.

The head coach offered no update on Varlamovs status following the loss.

If Varlamov is out for an extended period, it would likely force Sorokin into playing every game, as there is not a third goaltender in the organization considered NHL-caliber.

New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov stops the puck during the first period of the team’s NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. APSorokin has taken on increased workloads due to injuries to Varlamov in each of the past two seasons, with both runs including consecutive starts in a back-to-back.

The Islanders’ next back-to-back is a little less two weeks from now in Minnesota and Winnipeg.

Tuesday was Varlamov’s 13th start of the season, over which he had compiled a .918 save percentage heading into the night.