Varlamov Named NHL's Third Star of the Week

The
National Hockey League announced today
that goaltender Semyon Varlamov has been named the NHL's "Third Star" for the Week ending May 2, 2021.
Varlamov turned aside all 53 shots he faced across a pair of games - both against the New York Rangers - to collect two shutouts and help the Islanders (31-15-5, 67 points) clinch a playoff berth for the third consecutive season and 27th time in franchise history.

It was a historical week for Varlamov, who made 28 saves on May 1 in his third straight shutout and league-leading seventh shutout of the season. He became the first Islanders goaltender in club history to record three consecutive shutouts and now owns a career-best 213:56 shutout streak - breaking another franchise record for longest shutout sequence (Chico Resch in 1975, 178:29). His seven shutouts tie Chico Resch for most in a single season by an Islanders goaltender in club history. Four of Varlamov's career-high seven shutouts this season have been against the Rangers, making him the first goaltender in the expansion era (since 1967-68) to record four shutouts against the same opponent in a single season.

Varlamov is 12-5-2 in his last 19 decisions and has won 19 games this season with a goals-against average of 1.99 and save percentage of .930. He currently has the lowest goals against average (1.99) and highest save percentage (.930) by an Islanders goaltender in franchise history (minimum 1000 minutes). The Samara, Russia native can become the third goaltender since 1943-44 with a shutout in four consecutive appearances and first since the 2003-04 season when Brian Boucher recorded five straight with Arizona.