Varlamov completes 60 minutes in Islanders' 6-1 loss to Rangers
Veteran goalie makes 21 saves in his first full game since November 2024 as Romanov and Pulock return to preseason action.
Semyon Varlamov completed a full game for the first time since Nov. 29, 2024, on Friday. The milestone came in a 6-1 preseason loss for the New York Islanders against the Rangers at UBS Arena.
Varlamov made 21 saves on 27 shots. He had played one half against the Rangers on Tuesday, facing nine shots. Islanders coach Pete DeBoer said he offered to take the goalie out after the second period Friday, but Varlamov chose to finish. DeBoer praised that decision after a difficult night for the team.
The Rangers had six different goal scorers: Oliver Bjorkstrand, J.T. Miller, Tye Kartye, Gabe Perreault, Will Cuylle and Mika Zibanejad. Pierre Engvall scored for the Islanders with 8:38 left, ending Igor Shesterkin's shutout bid. Shesterkin stopped 15 of 16 shots.
The Islanders also got Alexander Romanov and Ryan Pulock back into preseason action. Romanov, returning from a right shoulder injury sustained in November 2025, played 20:24 and blocked five shots. Pulock's appearance was his first since off-season shoulder surgery. Emil Heineman made his preseason debut as well.
DeBoer acknowledged the difference between the Rangers' NHL-heavy lineup and the Islanders' largely AHL lineup, saying the club would assess individual performances despite the result.
