ISLES NOTES
- Semyon Varlamov is 5-1-1 in his last seven starts with a .930 SV% and a 2.29 GAA over that span. He's started in five of the last eight games for the Islanders and is expected to face the Rangers on Tuesday, per Head Coach Patrick Roy. Varlamov has an exceptional resume against the Rangers in particular, with five career shutouts – his most against any opponent – along with a 13-8-2 record through 23 career appearances and a .914 SV% and a 2.62 GAA.
- Although the penalty kill ranks 32nd in the league at 72.2%, the shorthanded unit has shown signs of improvement as of late, especially in big moments. The Islanders pulled off two important kills in the third period on Saturday to protect a 1-0 lead, resulting in a huge 2-0 shutout victory for Varlamov and the Islanders.
“It’s guys buying in and putting the team before themselves,” Casey Cizikas said. “We had some big blocks, desperation plays, we’re getting pucks down the ice when we need to, and guys are stepping up.”
- JG Pageau has been strong in faceoffs all season but has recently stood out in the dot, winning 54 of 69 faceoffs (78.3%) over his last six games.
- Cal Clutterbuck skated in his 713th game as an Islander on Saturday, passing Pat Flatley for sole possession of 12th place in franchise history.
- Kyle Palmieri has 11 goals in his last 18 outings, including two consecutive empty net goals on Saturday and Thursday. He is the first Islander since Mike Bossy to score empty net goals in consecutive goals since Bossy did it in 1981. Palmieri has 26 goals and 47 points on the season – his best totals in his tenure as an Islander - and his highest marks since the 2018-19 season when he was with New Jersey.
Palmieri potted two goals the last time the Islanders faced the Rangers at UBS Arena on Oct. 26, 2022, which resulted in a 3-0 win for the Islanders.
- The Islanders picked up one of a possible four points against the Rangers this season. They let a 5-3 lead slip in a 6-5 OT loss on Feb. 18 at the 2024 Stadium Series, while they dropped a 5-2 decision on Mar. 17 at MSG. After Tuesday’s contest at UBS Arena, they’ll wrap the season series with a matinee matchup on Saturday.
- The Islanders have allowed three goals over their last three games, which marks their fewest goals in any three-game stretch this season.