In his first year with the Islanders, Varlamov went 19-14-6 with a 2.62 GAA, .914 SV% and two shutouts in 45 appearances (39 starts). In year-2, Varlamov will be pressured by rookie netminder Ilya Sorokin but he is still expected to start the majority of games as long as he's healthy and playing well. He was 0-2-1 with an ugly 4.64 GAA and .857 SV% in three games vs. the Rangers last year.
Barzal debuted in Islanders' camp on Saturday, fresh off of a three-year contract extension. The 23-year-old centre had 19 goals and 41 assists (60 points) in 68 games a season ago and has averaged 14 goals and 36 assists (50 points) per 56-games over the last three years. Given the depth at the position, Barzal is a strong No.2 fantasy centre now that he'll be there for the start of the 2021 season.
Schneider had two years left on his seven-year, $42.0M deal that he signed back in 2014. The buyout will cost the Devils $2.0M in cap space for each of the next four seasons but provides them with $4.0M in savings in 2021 and 2022. Over the last three seasons, Schneider ranked 45th in GAA (3.07) and 47th in SV% (.903) among the 50 qualified netminders (Min.75 starts).
Varlamov gave up two goals on 21 shots in the Islanders 2-1 loss in Game 2. The Isles did a much better job limiting the Lightning than they did in the blowout loss in Game 1 but they let Nikita Kucherov get loose in the final 10 second and ended up losing. Varlamov is 0-3 in his last three starts while giving up 11 goals on 84 shots (.869 SV%).
Barzal left Game 5 with 4:47 left in the third period after being high-sticked by Claude Giroux. Barzal did not return for overtime and is questionable for Game 6 on Thursday. Head coach Barry Troy said that his level concern about Barzal's available was "just probably moderate." Consider Barzal a game-time decision.
