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New York Islanders News
Rittich led the Flames onto the ice for warmups.

Rittich allowed four goals on 21 shots in the Flames loss in Montreal last Thursday. It was a tough season debut for Rittich, who draws another tough matchup tonight in Winnipeg. Rittich was 15-10-3 with a 2.81 GAA, .914 SV% and one shutout on the road a season ago.

David Rittich
Varlamov will start Saturday in Philadelphiha.

Varlamov was yanked after allowing five goals on 22 shots in the Islanders loss in Washington on Thursday. The Islanders took an early 3-0 lead and looked to have things in hand but it got away from them in the second period, handing Varlamov his second straight defeat. After a red-hot start to the season, Varlamov is now 3-2-0 with a 1.82 GAA and .936 SV% through five starts.

Semyon Varlamov
Rittich will start Thursday in Montreal.

Jacob Markstrom started the first five games of the season, so Thursday will be Rittich's season debut. The 28-year-old has won 20-plus games in back-to-back seasons, going 24-17-6 with a 2.97 GAA, .907 SV% and two shutouts in 48 games last season. Tonight he faces a Canadiens team that has yet to lose in regulation and lead the NHL in scoring through six games (4.83 GF/gm).

David Rittich
Varlamov led the Islanders onto the ice for warmups.

Varlamov stopped 30 of 31 shots in the Islanders' win over the Devils last Thursday. With Ilya Sorokin struggling again on Sunday, Varlamov is likely to start for the fourth time in six games on Tuesday. He's been the best goalie in the NHL through three starts, going 3-0-0 with a 0.33 GAA, .988 SV% and two shutouts.

Semyon Varlamov