The shrewd veteran, Semyon Varlamov, just completed a campaign for the New York Islanders in which he set career highs in goals against average, save percentage, and shutouts. The Tampa Bay Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy, who just completed a Stanley Cup championship season and is gunning for his second Vezina Trophy in three years, leads the league in victories over the previous four years.
Even though they were far from the NHL playoffs, the two countrymen were teammates. “Over the past couple of years, he’s been the best goalie in the NHL,” “Varlamov remarked about his opponent. He is extraordinary.
In 2016, the two were teammates on Russia’s hockey World Cup team, playing behind starter Sergei Bobrovsky. When the Lightning and Islanders met in the Eastern Conference Finals in September, Tampa Bay prevailed in six games to win its first Stanley Cup.
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The Russian Goalies Are A Part Of A Resurgence.
The Russian goaltenders are a part of a renaissance that was seen in the postseason of the previous year. The team’s Stanley Cup semifinal series, which is knotted 1-1 going into Game 3 on Thursday night, may be decided this year by the matchup.
The Russian goalies are a part of a resurgence that was evident in the postseason of the previous year. In this year’s matchup, which is tied 1-1 going into Game 3 on Thursday night in the Stanley Cup semifinal series between the two teams, the confrontation may be the determining factor.
The 33-year-old Varlamov added, “I like this kid, but now we play against one other. “He is a very strong and athletic goalie who last year won the Vezina Trophy and a Cup. I have a lot of positive things to say about him.
Vasilevskiy Team’s Undisputed Starter.
Since the Lightning traded Ben Bishop at the deadline in February 2017, the 26-year-old Vasilevskiy has become the team’s undisputed starter. In response, Vasilevskiy has amassed a league-best 149 victories over the last four seasons.
Additionally, he maintains the franchise records for single-season victories (44) and shutouts (26), as well as career wins (190), shutouts (26), and games (302). (eight). Varlamov has been praised by Islanders coach Barry Trotz for being “low maintenance” and swiftly getting over a poor performance or bad night.
Varlamov Has Been Praised By Islanders Coach Barry Trotz
Varly is one of those players that, when he has a terrible game, you want to immediately throw him in because you know he’s going to bounce back with a really good game, the player stated. Due to an injury, Varlamov was unable to play in the opening matchup against Pittsburgh in the first round, which Sorokin won.
Varlamov came back for the following two games, both of which the Islanders lost. As a result, Trotz went back to Sorokin, who proved untouchable and helped the Islanders win three straight to advance. Trotz switched back to Varlamov after Sorokin was defeated by Boston in the second round opener due to his impressive career record against the Bruins, and the Islanders once again advanced.
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Final Words
Jordan Eberle of the Islanders stated that Varly is one of the league’s top goalies. Varlamov has stopped 53 of 58 shots in this series; he momentarily left Game 2 after being struck. While filling in, Sorokin blocked all six shots he encountered.
Vasilevskiy has also made 53 stops on 57 shots, helping the Lightning avoid back-to-back defeats in the last two postseasons while improving their record to 11-0 in games played after a setback.
