Varlamov makes 40 saves, Islanders defeat Bruins

Semyon Varlamov made 40 saves for his first win of the season when the New York Islanders defeated the Boston Bruins 3-1 at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on Thursday.

Varlamov, who lost his shutout with 54 seconds left, was 0-5-1 with a 3.29 goals-against average and an .884 save percentage in seven games (six starts) this season.
"It feels great," Varlamov said. "It's been a long time, so first win for me, it feels amazing. Finally.
"I had a tough stretch, but it's over, so I'm happy for the team. We get two points today and I'm happy for myself."

Cal Clutterbuck scored twice for the Islanders (8-12-5), who have won three of five games since an 0-8-3 stretch. They have won two straight at their new arena after losing the first seven.
"The last little while, it's been make-or-break," Clutterbuck said. "(We) put ourselves in a tough spot. But I've said this like a million times, we're just trying to focus on the day in front of us, one day at a time. Things can get overwhelming if you get too high or too low, so it's one day at a time."
Mike Reilly scored for the Bruins (14-10-2), who have lost two straight after winning their previous two. Linus Ullmark made 25 saves.
"I have no issue with the effort," Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said. "I thought our guys came to play tonight. I'd say after the first 10 minutes, we were on our toes much better. … All in all, I thought the guys played hard, tried to play the right way, got better as the game went on."
The Bruins played with 17 skaters (11 forwards, six defensemen) after seven players entered NHL COVID-19 protocol the past three days.
Center Patrice Bergeron was added to the protocol Wednesday, one day after forwards Brad Marchand and Craig Smith entered. Goalie Jeremy Swayman, and forwards Trent Frederic, Anton Blidh and Oskar Steen were placed in protocol Thursday.
"I'm always proud of this group," Boston forward Nick Foligno said. "That's the Bruin way. There's no quit in this team. With everything we've faced the past 24 hours, it's been a nightmare, to be honest with you. But we found a way to come in here and just work. That's something we can control.
"I think we also looked at it as an opportunity for some guys that don't get the same kind of ice time, and there's an opportunity in front of them. I thought some guys played real hard tonight and gave us everything they had."

Clutterbuck gave New York a 1-0 lead at 11:47 of the first period. After Boston defenseman Brandon Carlo backhanded the puck out of a scrum behind the net, Clutterbuck intercepted it for a wrist shot glove side.
Anthony Beauvillier ended a 15-game goal drought during a power play to make it 2-0 at 1:44 of the second period. Beauvillier also had not scored a point in 14 games.
"I've been kind of grinding to find my game lately, but the last two games have been good," Beauvillier said.
Varlamov made 21 saves in the second period.
"I couldn't beat [Varlamov] today, unfortunately," Ullmark said. "I needed to step up a little bit more. I didn't. That's on me. But I'm proud of the boys."
Taylor Hall nearly scored on a backhand at 16:57 of the third period, but Varlamov managed to push to his left for a pad save.
Clutterbuck scored an empty-net goal for his second of the game to make it 3-0 at 17:43.
Reilly ended Varlamov's shutout on a wrist shot at 19:06 for the 3-1 final.
"I liked our start. We didn't give up much through two periods, and then I thought we sat back a little bit more than we needed to in the third," Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. "But I thought we had good poise. There wasn't any panic on the bench or anything."
NOTES: Islanders forward Kyle Palmieri did not play the third period because of a lower-body injury. He is day to day, Trotz said. … New York center Mathew Barzal missed a second straight game after entering COVID-19 protocol Tuesday. … Islanders defenseman Robin Salo had the primary assist on Beauvillier's goal for his first NHL point. … New York center Austin Czarnik had one shot on goal in 8:28 of ice time after being recalled from Bridgeport of the American Hockey League. … Bruins forward Jesper Froden made his NHL debut and had two shots on goal, three hits and one block in 12:59. ... The NHL announced on Friday that Boston's next originally scheduled game, at the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, has been postponed. A makeup date will be announced at a later time.