Varlamov makes 36 saves in Islanders’ win over Golden Knights, 5-2

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Semyon Varlamov stopped 36 shots before being pulled in the third period and the New York Islanders beat the Vegas Golden Knights 5-2 on Saturday night.

Brock Nelson and Zach Parise had goals and assists, as well as Anders Lee, Hudson Faschling and Simon Holmstrom. Jean-Gabriel Pageau also had assists. New York won only the second of six games (2-3-1).

Varlamov was left with just 6:22 to go and was replaced by Ilya Sorokin. She stopped the last shot he faced. The sudden change was not explained immediately.

Two power-play goals were scored by Reilly Smith for the Golden Knights who had won six of their nine previous games. Vegas is now 14-2-1 at home and Vegas is currently 8-8 on the road.

After being hit with a shot by Phil Kessel, Mark Stone of the Golden Knights was also taken off the ice and helped to his feet.

Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo returned Evelyn, his 4-year-old girl, was seriously ill and he missed nine of his previous games. After coming down with the flu and encephalitis, she returned to her home in Las Vegas this week.

Pietrangelo stated that he was satisfied enough with his daughter’s recovery to return with the Knights. He assisted Smith on Smith’s goal in third period, and was then assessed a trip penalty.

With 1:02 left to play in the first period, Islanders held a lead of 1-0. Anthony Beauvillier found Lee for his 10th.

New York’s Casey Cizikas, who was called for boarding near the end of the first period, put the Knights on the power-play to open the second. Vegas capitalized at 1:12 to tie the game with a goal from Smith’s rebound.

Fasching restored the Islanders’ lead 3:20 later. Holmstrom made it 3-1 in the second. Holmstrom was a rookie who was drafted in the 23rd round by the Islanders in 2019. This was his first goal in his career.

Cizikas almost extended New York’s lead in the second period but officials declared that his goal occurred just after the clock expired.

Smith’s second power play goal in the third period brought the Knights up to 3-2. He has scored four goals and collected six points in his last three games.

Parise, Nelson and Nelson both had no nets in the final 90 seconds to win the match.

NOTES

The Islanders have announced that forwards Cal Clutterbuck, Kyle Palmieri and Kyle Palmieri are still recovering from upper-body injuries. … Vegas’ Chandler Stephenson has extended his points streak by four games (one goal and six assists). New York’s Sebastian Aho has scored points in three consecutive games (one goal and two assists). Nelson (one goal and three assists) has also scored a point in three consecutive games.

UP NEXT

Islanders: At Colorado on Monday night.

Golden Knights: Buffalo will host the Golden Knights on Monday night

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