Varlamov turned aside 32 of 37 shots Tuesday in a 6-3 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Islanders' first-round series, with Carolina's final goal getting scored into an empty net.

EDGE Analysis

With their season on the line, the Isles came out flat and were down 2-0 before the four-minute mark in the first period. While Varlamov played well enough to allow his team to rally and tie things up by the second intermission, the third period belonged to Carolina. The veteran netminder posted a 2.70 GAA and .914 save percentage in his five playoff appearances, numbers very similar to his 2.60 GAA and .918 save percentage during the regular season. Barring a trade, he'll return to man the crease in Long Island in 2024-25 alongside Ilya Sorokin.

Varlamov will be between the road pipes for Game 5 against the Hurricanes on Tuesday, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Varlamov gets the nod after having put together a strong showing in Game 4. He stopped 42 of 44 shots on net in that must-win contest. At this point, the 36-year-old Varlamov figures to continue trying to stave off elimination for the Islanders for as long as he can.

Varlamov stopped 42 shots Saturday in a 3-2 double-overtime win over the Hurricanes in Game 4 of the Islanders' first-round series.

EDGE Analysis

The 36-year-old netminder wouldn't let the Isles get swept, making 17 saves in the first OT period alone to give Mathew Barzal a chance to pot the winner. Varlamov has started three of New York's four playoff games so far, posting a stellar 2.08 GAA and .930 save percentage despite a 1-2 record, and he should get the nod again Tuesday for Game 5 as the series shifts back to Carolina.

Varlamov will get the starting nod at home for Game 4 against the Hurricanes on Saturday, Arthur Staple of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Varlamov was initially benched for Game 3 but came on in relief of Ilya Sorokin in the second period -- Varly stopped all eight shots he faced from that point on. Overall, Varlamov is sporting a 2.41 GAA and .915 save percentage through three playoff appearances, but he's lost both of his starts. At this point, if Varlamov puts together a good enough performance to earn a victory in Game 4, he'll almost certainly get the nod for Game 5 on Tuesday.

Varlamov stopped eight shots after entering in relief of Ilya Sorokin in the second period of Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Hurricanes.

EDGE Analysis

After Varlamov dropped the first two games of the series, the Islanders turned to Ilya Sorokin on Thursday in an attempt to change the momentum. However, Sorokin allowed three goals on Carolina's first 14 shots before the Isles turned back to Varlamov midway through the second period. The 35-year-old Varlamov managed to hold the Canes scoreless over the game's final 30:33 minutes, though New York ultimately couldn't find a tying goal, leaving Sorokin with the loss. Varlamov figures to be back between the pipes for Saturday's do-or-die Game 4. Despite the Islanders' struggles thus far in the series, Varlamov's posted a solid .915 save percentage in three postseason appearances.

Varlamov allowed four goals on 38 shots in Monday's 5-3 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 2. The fifth goal was an empty-netter.

EDGE Analysis

The Islanders jumped out to a 3-0 lead early in the second period but Varlamov allowed a Teuvo Teravainen power-play goal before the Hurricanes exploded for four goals in the third, including an empty-netter, leaving the Islanders down 2-0 in the series. The 35-year-old Varlamov was excellent down the stretch, going 7-1-0 with a .936 save percentage in his final eight regular-season starts while taking over the starting job from Ilya Sorokin. However, the Islanders may choose to mix things up in goal Thursday when they return home for Game 3.

Varlamov was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports, indicating he will guard the road goal in Game 2 against Carolina on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Varlamov stopped 23 of 25 shots in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 1. The 35-year-old netminder has posted a record of 18-15 with a 2.30 GAA and a .922 save percentage in 35 career playoff appearances with the Islanders.

Varlamov allowed two goals on 25 shots in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 1. The third goal was an empty-netter.

EDGE Analysis

Varlamov's strong play to help the Islanders get in the playoffs earned him the Game 1 start, but the team in front of him fell flat for the postseason opener. He has allowed no more than two goals in any of his last five outings. Varlamov was 14-8-4 with a 2.60 GAA and a .918 save percentage over 28 regular-season contests. Should he stumble again, head coach Patrick Roy may be forced to turn back to Ilya Sorokin quickly.

Varlamov will defend the visiting crease in Carolina on Saturday for Game 1, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

Varlamov took over for Ilya Sorokin as New York's No. 1 netminder down the stretch, starting in seven of the Islanders' last 11 regular-season games. Varlamov won his last five starts, ending the season with a 14-8-4 record to go with a 2.60 GAA and a .918 save percentage, Varlamov stopped 39 shots in a 5-4 overtime victory over the Hurricanes in his lone appearance against the team this season Nov. 30.

Varlamov stopped 23 of 24 shots in Monday's 4-1 win over the Devils.

EDGE Analysis

Varlamov was sharp again Monday, holding New Jersey to a lone Timo Meier goal in the second period en route to a playoff-clinching win for the Islanders. The 35-year-old Varlamov has started four of New York's last five games while going 7-1-0 with a stellar .935 save percentage over his last eight outings. He'll carry a 14-8-4 record with a .917 save percentage and 2.60 GAA into Wednesday's regular-season finale against the Penguins.