The Islanders clawed their way back from a 3-0 deficit Tuesday night in Manhattan, scoring a wild 4-3 comeback victory that saw veteran netminder Semyon Varlamov make his highly anticipated return to the ice. Just the second preseason outing, sure, but what an absolute stunner! You love to see that resilience from a squad gearing up for the grind of a full season, and this game had more drama than you’d expect from an exhibition match.
Down 3-0? No Problem!
Talk about a statement, even in preseason! Their opponent, who the source calls the “Smurfs,” had them down by three goals, feeling pretty good. But the Islanders, they hit the gas. They showed incredible resilience, not just chipping away, but straight up erasing that lead. They ripped off three power play goals on their way to that 4-3 win. Three power play goals! That’s efficiency, showing a dangerous special teams unit that can turn the tide fast. Matias Maccelli was buzzing, lighting the lamp twice himself. Two goals from Maccelli, with that kind of energy? That’s the kind of early flash that gets you hyped. I know, it’s just one preseason game. And yeah, we gotta keep the hype in check a bit. But a comeback like that? Showing that grit when you’re down? That’s the stuff you want to see, no matter what time of year. It tells you something about the team’s character, doesn’t it?
Varly’s Back and the Future is Looking Up
But let’s be real, the true story here, the one that’s gonna stick, is Varly. Semyon Varlamov’s return from rehab was, in his own words, a “very special moment,” and you could practically feel the relief and excitement. This guy is a warrior, and having him back in net after all that hard work? That’s absolutely massive. It’s a huge lift for the squad, especially with young guys like Victor Eklund trying to find their footing and learning from the “friendly Swedes” around him. Co-owner Jon Ledecky talked about the team as a “Long Island asset” , an expensive one, no doubt, but hey, you get what you pay for. It shows they’re investing, and bringing back key pieces like Varlamov makes a clear difference. Meanwhile, the camp cuts are already happening, with guys filling out the AHL Hamilton roster. It’s all part of building something, sorting out who’s ready and who needs more time. The constant churn of a professional team, all focused on the big picture.
So what does all this early action, this comeback, this special return, actually mean? Well, ESPN’s “bold” prediction for the Islanders is that they’ll be deadline sellers, which frankly, isn’t bold at all if you ask me. After a comeback like that, with Varlamov back in form and Maccelli ripping off goals, maybe that prediction needs a serious rewrite. They showed they’ve got fight, they showed clutch power play scoring, and their veteran goalie is back. We’re still early in the season, and there’s a whole lot more hockey to watch. This team just gave us a glimpse of what they can be when pushed, and if they keep that fire burning, who knows what they can accomplish this year. This is just the beginning, folks, and I’m here for it!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Lighthouse Hockey.
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