Semyon Varlamov is certainly used to long breaks between games this season.
The goalie was the Islanders’ best player in a 2-0 loss to the Capitals on Saturday afternoon at UBS Arena, stopping 34 of the 35 shots he faced in his first outing in 16 days.
"I felt good today," said Varlamov, who last made 36 saves in a 4-1 win over the visiting Sabres on Dec. 30 and is now 2-6-1 with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage in 10 appearances. "I gave up a goal in the first period and then, after that, I made some saves and got the confidence back.