The goalie decision for Thursday night’s game against the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena was not a difficult one at all for Islanders coach Barry Trotz.
Semyon Varlamov was back in net after Russian rookie Ilya Sorokin earned his first NHL victory with a 3-0 win in Buffalo on Tuesday night.
"Zero impact," Trotz said of Sorokin’s performance in his decision making. "Varly was getting this game all along. There’s no reason not to, I think Varly’s played exceptionally well as well."
Varlamov entered Thursday tied for the NHL lead with three shutouts, a 7-2-2 record, 1.