NASHVILLE, TN — Tuesday night could have ended in a nightmare for the New York Islanders after they squandered a 3-0 lead against the Nashville Predators.
Instead, it ended with a dream becoming reality for Semyon Varlamov.
After undergoing two partial knee replacements and spending nearly two years working toward this moment, the veteran netminder earned his first NHL victory since Nov. 14, 2024, completing another remarkable chapter in a comeback that once seemed unthinkable.
Varlamov was outstanding when the Islanders needed him most, making critical saves to get his team to overtime before stopping both shooters he faced in the shootout.
When the final save was made, his teammates mobbed him on the ice. The celebration continued in the locker room, where it was clear just how much this moment meant to everyone.
Here are the sounds and reactions following Varlamov’s first win of the season: