New York Islanders News

Palat - dealing with a nagging injury - will be a gametime decision tonight.

Varlamov did not play particularly well in Game 1 but looks to rebound for Game 2 tonight.

Palat left game 1 with an upper-body injury and did not return. He is listed as a game-time decision, but Copper also said it is unlikely that he plays. This is a tough blow for the Lightning, Palat scored 23 goals with 36 assists (59 points) in 81 games.

Varlamov was sensational for the Avalanche this season. He led the NHL with 41 wins and posted a strong 2.41 GAA and .927 SV%. He has won seven of his last eight starts and comes into the playoffs as the leagues' hottest netminder. He was 3-0-1 with a 2.16 GAA and .929 SV% vs. the Wild this season.

Palat has played all 81 games this season, but will miss the season finale today vs. Washington. Palat suffered the upper-body injury on Friday in Columbus. Palat scored his 23rd goal of the season before getting hurt. Consider him day-to-day.

Varlamov stopped 38 of 40 shots in a win over the Canucks on Thursday. He set the new Avalanche franchise record with 41 regular season wins. Varlamov has been unreal as of late, having won seven of his last eight starts. The Avalanche will give him the nod tonight to try and win the Central Division a season after finishing 29th in the NHL.

Varlamov stopped 30 of 32 shots in a shootout loss to the Penguins on Sunday. He was given Tuesday night off, but will be back in goal tonight in Vancouver. With a win tonight, Varlamov will break head coach Patrick Roy's record for most wins in a single season with 41. He is 6-0-1 in his last seven with only 14 goals against, get him in your lineup.

Clutterbuck left Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury and did not return. The Islanders' season is all but over, so they will keep all injured players out for the rest of the year. Clutterbuck scored 12 goals and added seven assists in 73 games this season. As we have grown accustomed to seeing, Clutterbuck is once again in the top-5 in hits with 270 on the season.

Varlamov stopped all 31 shots that he faced in a 4-0 win over the Blues on Saturday. Varlamov will make the start on back-to-back days, but will get at least the next two games off as he rests for the playoffs. His win last night was his 40th of the season--which tied current head coach Patrick Roy for the franchise record. He has won six in a row, so I would suggest you continue to use Varly at every opportunity.

Varlamov allowed two goals on 31 shots in Thursday's 3-2 shootout win over the Rangers. Varlamov has allowed two goals in each of his last four starts and has won five in a row with a .929 SV%. He will go four his 40th win of the season this afternoon in St. Louis.

Varlamov allowed two goals on 26 shots in a 3-2 OT win over the Avalanche on Tuesday. Varly has won four straight starts allowing 10 goals on 139 shots (.928 SV%). Varlamov was lit up for five goals in his first start against New York.

Varlamov gave up two goals, but made 47 saves in a 3-2 win over the Sharks on Saturday. The win was his 37th of the season, which leads the NHL as of now. After finishing 29th in the league last season, I don't think anyone saw this coming from Varlamov and the Avs. Tonight, they begin life without Matt Duchene (knee - 4 weeks) against a Blue Jackets team who are 5-4-1 in their last 10 as they push for a Wild Card spot in the East.

Pageau, 21, has appeared in 21 games with Ottawa this season, registering two points (two goals) and 10 penalty minutes. In 44 AHL games this season, Pageau has recorded 17 goals and 24 assists for 41 points. He could get into the lineup tonight vs. Carolina because Colin Greening is battling an undisclosed injury.

Varlamov stopped 29 of 31 shots in a 3-2 OT win over the Canucks on Thursday. The win was his 36th of the season, which moved him into a tie with Antti Niemi for the most in the NHL. He has won eight of his last 11 over the last month, posting a 2.56 GAA and .927 SV% in the process.

Varlamov surrendered four goals on 33 shots in a 5-4 win in Nashville on Tuesday. Varlamov now ranks second in the NHL in Wins (35), eighth in SV% (.924) and 22nd in GAA (2.51). He has yet to face Vancouver, but comes into play tonight having gone 21-9-3 in his previous 33 starts at Pepsi Center.

Varlamov gave up two goals on 28 shots in a loss to the Bruins on Friday. Varly has had a strong month, holding his opponents to two or fewer goals in six of his last seven starts. Tonight, he takes on the Predators, he has posted a 2-1-0 record with a 3.36 GAA and .882 SV% vs. Nashville this season.

Varlamov was given Tuesday and Wednesday off in favour of J.S Giguere starting in his hometown and Reto Berra making his Avalanche debut. Tonight, he will be back between the pipes vs. Boston. He is coming off of a 38-save performance, where he saw his shutout snapped in the dying second of Wednesday's win over the Sens.

Varlamov allowed five goals on 24 shots in a 6-4 loss to the Ducks on Friday. He enters play tonight having won five of his last seven with a 2.76 GAA and .924 SV%. Varly takes on a Sens team who are coming off of a difficult late loss to the Canadiens last night.

Varlamov stopped 37 of 39 shots in a 3-2 win over the Blackhawks on Wednesday. The win was his 100th of his career and moved him into second in the NHL in wins with 33. Friday will see him take on the Ducks in Denver. Varly has won five of his last six starts and stopped 35 shots in a 6-1 win in the season opener vs. Anaheim.

Varlamov allowed two goals on 35 shots in a win over the Jets on Monday. Varly has been great winning four of his last five starts while posting a 2.20 GA and .937 SV%. The 25-year-old is 3-0-0 with a 1.47 GAA and .963 SV% in his previous three starts against the Blackhawks this season.