In Toronto, the New York Islanders’ Semyon Varlamov made 29 saves in a 4-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night in Game 1 of their second round series.
“We’re playing well defensively,” Varlamov said. “The guys play unbelievable again today in front of me. … It feels good to get back-to-back shutouts, but at this point it’s not about shutouts. It’s playoff hockey; the most important thing for me is to get the win and get ready for the next game.”
Andy Greene scored in the first period to stake the Isles to a 1-0 lead.
“The goal, got to the middle, I saw a shot lane, put that through,” Greene said. “The other one, I can’t let that pass get through and then once it did then it’s desperation mode and I got lucky.”
Jean-Gabriel Pageau extended the lead early in the third period.
“Greene is solid back there, such a veteran presence,” the Isles Anders Lee said. “He’s been around, he’s seen a lot, played in a ton of big games. His experience has been extremely valuable for us and our D corps. … And tonight to get us going that was huge.”
Lee and Devon Toews sealed the victory with a pair goals late in the third period.
“They were the better team in the first, we were the better team in the second and couldn’t find a way to capitalize on some of our real good looks,” Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault said. “I believe if we get the same looks sooner or later we’ll be able to put the puck in the net. But the third period got a little bit away from us. We lost a couple of battles that they were able to capitalize on.”
Toews’ goal was an empty netter with just at 12:21 of the final frame.
“I feel like I haven’t done anything really special so far,” Varlamov said. “I just play the game. It happens now that I get back to back shutouts, but it’s amazing the play in front of me. But I’ve already moved on from this game and looking forward to playing the next one.”
Game 2 of the series will be Wednesday night.
[WATCH: All Islanders vs. Flyers highlights]
Carter Hart made 25 saves in the loss.
“The top players have got to play better,” the Flyers Claude Giroux said. “I’m obviously one of them and I’ve got to get going here.”
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