Barzal, Varlamov help Islanders beat rival Rangers 3-0
NEW YORK (AP) — Mathew Barzal had a aim and an help, Semyon Varlamov stopped 27 pictures for his thirty sixth profession shutout and the New York Islanders beat the rival Rangers 3-0 on Friday night time.
Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin additionally scored for the Islanders, who’ve gained three straight and 7 of 10. Varlamov, who had 10 shutouts final season — together with 4 towards the Rangers — obtained his second this season.
Lengthy thought-about out of the playoff image, the Islanders pulled inside 13 factors of Washington for the second wild card within the Jap Convention with 15 video games remaining — yet one more than the Capitals.
Igor Shesterkin completed with 15 saves to fall to 32-10-3. The Rangers snapped a four-game win streak and misplaced for simply the third time in 11 video games. They misplaced at house for simply the second time in seven video games — each towards the Islanders, who’ve gained six of their final seven visits to Madison Sq. Backyard.
Varlamov, beginning on consecutive nights for the primary time in his three seasons with the Islanders, had seven saves within the first interval, 12 within the second and eight within the third to enhance to 9-13-2. He blanked the Rangers for the fourth straight time at MSG.
The Rangers remained 5 factors behind Carolina for second place within the Metropolitan Division, one level forward of third-place Pittsburgh.
Barzal obtained a go from Oliver Wahlstrom in the fitting circle, skated in on Shesterkin, deked a forehand shot earlier than going to his backhand and scoring up excessive as he minimize throughout the entrance at 2:47 of the third to extend the Islanders’ result in 3-0. It was Barzal’s 14th aim of the season and his three hundredth profession level.
The Rangers pulled Shesterkin for an additional skater with 7:40 to play. He returned lower than a minute later after a stoppage in play and remained on the ice the remainder of the best way.
Filip Chytil had an opportunity at an open web from the left facet for the Rangers with 2:45 left, however missed.
Varlamov smothered Andrew Copp‘s wraparound strive 1:30 into the second interval to protect the Islanders’ 1-0 lead.
The Islanders doubled their lead at 4:48 as Barzal introduced the puck up on a 2-on-1 rush and despatched a go throughout to Martin, who trailed the play and beat Shesterkin from the fitting circle. It was Martin’s third of the season and first since Feb. 9 at Vancouver.
The Islanders obtained on the scoreboard 2:40 into the sport. After the Rangers didn’t clear the puck, the Islanders’ Ryan Pulock obtained it on the blue line, skated to the fitting faceoff dot and his centering go throughout the entrance of the aim was redirected by Cizikas previous Shesterkin. It was Cizikas’ ninth aim of the season and 199th profession level.
LINEUPS
The Islanders had one lineup change from their earlier night time’s 5-2 win towards Columbus — ahead Ross Johnston changed Kieffer Bellows on the Islanders’ fourth line rather than the injured Cal Clutterbuck.
Except Shesterkin, the Rangers used the identical lineup from Wednesday night time’s 5-4 additional time win at Detroit.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Islanders had been 0 for 4 on the facility play. That they had no pictures on aim on their first two possibilities whereas giving up two short-handed makes an attempt. The Islanders then managed two pictures on their third alternative.
The Rangers, second within the NHL at 27%, had been 0 for 3 on their man-advantage possibilities.
UP NEXT
Islanders: At New Jersey on Sunday.
Rangers: Host Philadelphia on Sunday night time.
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Comply with Vin Cherwoo at http://www.twitter.com/VinCherwooAP
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Extra AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Vin A. Cherwoo, The Related Press
