Varlamov makes 29 saves, Islanders shut out Capitals

Semyon Varlamov made 29 saves for the New York Islanders in a 1-0 win against the Washington Capitals at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York on Tuesday.

Brock Nelson scored the only goal of the game at 13:05 of the third period, and Josh Bailey got his 500th NHL point for the Islanders (25-10-4), who have won three in a row.
"I didn't think they had a lot of opportunities, but some that they did were pretty dangerous and 'Varly' came up big," New York coach Barry Trotz said. "I thought their goaltender played extremely well. We had lots of chances to pull away. We didn't. It was a [heck of a] hockey game between two good teams."
Vitek Vanecek made 38 saves for the Capitals (25-10-4), who won their previous two and were 2-3-0 on a five-game road trip.
It was the first time Washington was shut out this season.
"I thought we got off to a slow start, it wasn't a good first 20 (minutes) for us," Capitals defenseman Justin Schultz said. "I think we got better as the game went on and we had our chances. [The puck] just wouldn't go in for us tonight."
Nelson controlled the rebound of Ryan Pulock's shot from the point and slid the puck between Vanecek's pads for his Islanders-leading 14th goal.
"We had had some looks, some [offensive]-zone time," Nelson said. "It was a nice play by 'Puls' to hold the line and kind of create some offense there before they were maybe set up in the [defensive] zone. Just kind of find a loose puck with some space and get it in. It was nice to get that one."

Vanecek kept it a one-goal game just over a minute later with a save against Nelson after a turnover, followed by a sliding pad save on Mathew Barzal with 4:20 left.
New York outshot Washington 20-10 in the third period.
"Usually most of those games we will win if they keep it down to one [goal], so I think he did everything we can ask from him today," Capitals forward Lars Eller said of Vanecek. "I think he played as well as we could ask for."
Varlamov made 12 saves in the second, then preserved the shutout with a save on Conor Sheary's wrist shot at 8:38 of the third period.
"That was a key save probably in the game," Varlamov said. "I'm glad I had a chance to stop that one. Then we turn around and score a goal after that."
The Islanders, who defeated the Capitals 8-4 at New York last Thursday, hit the post twice and a crossbar in the first two periods.
"The first, I think the edge probably went to them," Washington coach Peter Laviolette said. "I liked the way we played the second period. It seemed like we climbed back in it a little bit. It was tight. Not a lot of room."
NOTES: It was Varlamov's fourth shutout of the season. … The Islanders have a point in 18 of 19 home games (16-1-2). … New York general manager Lou Lamoriello tied Glen Sather (Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers) for second in NHL history with his 1,319th win. Nashville Predators GM David Poile leads with 1,436. … Bailey has 160 goals and 340 assists in 904 games with the Islanders. …. New York has outscored the opposition 46-25 in the third period. … It was the first time this season the Capitals lost when they allowed two or fewer goals (14-1-0).