WATCH: Islanders Varlamov Robs Golden Knights Smith With Paddle

Following a scoreless first period against the Vegas Golden Knights, the New York Islanders scored four minutes into the middle frame, courtesy of an Anders Lee goal. But just 33 seconds after the go-ahead tally, Scott Mayfield made his way to the penalty box, allowing the 11th-best power-play a chance to tie the game.

And it seemed like Reilly Smith was going to be the benefactor of a sneaky backdoor pass from teammate William Carrier. Islanders netminder Semyon Varlamov elected not to slide all the way as there was no chance he was getting to the back post in time.

Instead, he just stared down Smith and stuck out his stick.

You could call it skill, strong hand-eye coordination, or just sheer luck, but the paddle got in the way for one of Varlamov’s best saves of the season:

VARLAM🚫V pic.twitter.com/TucEv9Ay7z

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 29, 2023

It was a critical save as the Islanders killed off the Mayfield penalty, stayed on top, and got back on the attack.

Later on in the second period, the Golden Knights did find a way to tie the score, and this game eventually went to overtime. It was a hectic extra frame as Varlamov was tasted with stopping a penalty shot in overtime, which he did, as he closed the legs on a Willliam Carrier shot.

Varlamov denies Carrier on the penalty shot in OT pic.twitter.com/xjZBJnP9xf

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) January 29, 2023

And then Mathew Barzal sent the New York Islanders fans into a frenzy.

LET'S GOOOOOOO. pic.twitter.com/ceXEI5Kfuk

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 29, 2023

Varlamov ended his night stopping 44 of 45 shots that came his way for his ninth win of the season.

Barzal: “That was a cool moment. That was, yeah, that’s…everyone up on their feet cheering like that, so cool moment for him.”

Varlamov: “I got lucky. The whole net was open. And it happens like once a year. Shoot there 100 times, you probably score 99 of the 100. I’m glad I made that save. I mean it was unbelievable, you know.”

Lambert: “I thought he was focused, square. You know, he was fresh, and he certainly played a fantastic game.”