Islanders go back to Varlamov for Game 4

The New York Islanders are turning to Semyon Varlamov once again, and this time with their backs against the wall.

Varlamov is starting Game 4 on Saturday, Islanders head coach Patrick Roy said Friday, according to Newsday's Andrew Gross.

New York trails the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 in the series. Varlamov started the first two games and allowed six goals on 63 shots for a .905 save percentage in the losses. Sorokin got the nod in Game 3 but was pulled after giving up three goals on 14 shots.

Varlamov stopped all eight shots he faced after relieving Sorokin on Thursday.

The veteran goaltender, who'll turn 36 on the day of Game 4, was excellent down the stretch of the regular season. He helped the Islanders make the playoffs by going 8-1-1 with a .930 save percentage in his final 10 appearances and concluded the campaign with a 5-0-0 run, during which time he registered a mark of .946.

New York signed Sorokin to an eight-year, $66-million contract extension last July after he was voted the Vezina Trophy runner-up. The 28-year-old led the NHL in goals saved above expected at five-on-five (34.26) in 2022-23, according to Evolving Hockey. That figure dipped to 10.14 this season.

Game 4 is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on Saturday.

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