Semyon Varlamov is back in the spotlight for the New York Islanders, and Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden will mark a major step in his comeback.
The veteran goalie has been confirmed as the starter against the New York Rangers, setting up his first NHL regular-season appearance in nearly two years. For an Islanders team trying to keep its early momentum rolling after a 6-0 win over the New Jersey Devils, the timing is notable. For Varlamov, it’s even bigger.
He has worked his way back from two partial knee replacements, and the return comes at age 38. His last NHL start came on Nov.
29, 2024. Since then, he’s gotten into two games last season on rehab with the Bridgeport Islanders in the AHL and also appeared in preseason games leading into the 2026-27 campaign.
But this is the real thing again: a regular-season start on an NHL stage.
The Islanders will need him. They enter the game facing a Rangers team that has won three straight, and the matchup carries extra weight after New York swept all four meetings last season while outscoring its rival 14-3.
Varlamov’s role this season is expected to be a significant one behind Ilya Sorokin. The Islanders want Sorokin fresh, and that puts real importance on the No. 2 job. Ideally, Varlamov is in line for 20-25 starts this season, giving New York the kind of support it didn’t get enough of last year.
Semyon Varlamov will make his first start in a little under two years, Islanders coach Pete DeBoer says. Varlamov had two partial knee replacements.
DeBoer also unveiled a projected lineup at morning skate that looks similar to the group that faced the Devils. Up front, Emil Heineman, Bo Horvat and Kyle Palmieri are on the top line.
Brayden Schenn is skating with Cal Ritchie and Victor Eklund on the second line. Simon Holmstrom, JG Pageau and Anthony Duclair make up the third line, while Ondrej Palat, Casey Cizikas and Matias Maccelli are listed on the fourth.
On the blue line, Adam Pelech and Matthew Schaefer are paired together on the first unit. Alexander Romanov and Ryan Pulock form the second pair, with Logan Stanley and Tony DeAngelo rounding out the defense.
Kyle MacLean, Matt Kessel and Scott Mayfield are expected to be scratched.
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