Varlamov ends win drought as Islanders beat Predators in shootout

Semyon Varlamov recorded his first NHL victory since November 14, 2024, as the New York Islanders overcame a Nashville comeback to beat the Predators 4-3 in a shootout on Tuesday. According to the Associated Press, the goaltender made 20 saves and Nashville failed on both of its shootout attempts, while Kyle Palmieri and Bo Horvat converted for New York.

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The Islanders had taken control early with two first-period goals. The Hockey News reported that Jean-Gabriel Pageau set up Anthony Duclair in front of goal during four-on-four play to open the scoring at 3:07. Five minutes later, Ondrej Palat supplied Brayden Schenn at the back post, allowing the forward to score the 300th goal of his NHL career.

Horvat stretched the advantage to three goals just 68 seconds into the second period, finishing a pass from Matthew Schaefer. The assist extended Schaefer's scoring streak to five games. New York's three-goal cushion did not last, however, with Nashville scoring twice before the second intermission to bring the teams back within a single goal.

Filip Forsberg began the response on the power play, and Alexander Kerfoot followed with a rebound finish from a Nils Hoglander shot, AP reported. Ryan O'Reilly completed the recovery at 4:16 of the third period by converting a loose puck in the crease. Forsberg finished with a goal and an assist, while Nashville goaltender Juuse Saros made 25 saves.

The Hockey News reported that New York had a power-play opportunity in overtime but could not turn it into a winning goal. The contest instead reached the shootout, where Palmieri and Horvat settled it. The victory ended the Islanders' two-game winless run and gave them a win in Nashville for the first time since October 28, 2017.

For the Predators, the comeback secured a point but left them winless in five games decided beyond regulation this season, according to AP. New York next visits Minnesota on Thursday, while Nashville hosts Washington the same day.