Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Decent in Game 1 loss

Varlamov allowed two goals on 25 shots in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 1. The third goal was an empty-netter.

Varlamov's strong play to help the Islanders get into the playoffs earned him the Game 1 start, but the team in front of him fell flat for the postseason opener. He has allowed two goals or fewer in each of his last five outings. Varlamov was 14-8-4 with a 2.60 GAA and a .918 save percentage over 28 regular-season contests. Should he stumble again, head coach Patrick Roy may be forced to turn back to Ilya Sorokin quickly.