The Islanders activated backup netminder Semyon Varlamov off injured reserve Monday, restoring order in nets after Sorokin had played in 14 straight games.

Semyon Varlamov is the only player on the Islanders roster to have experience playing for Patrick Roy.

After dropping their last game before the All-Star break, 3-2 in overtime to the Panthers on Saturday night at UBS Arena, the Islanders are just 1-2-1 under new coach Patrick Roy.

The Islanders spoiled Roys Montreal homecoming as they came out flat and paid the price, losing 4-3 to the Canadiens after a comeback that fell short and throwing Roy into his first bout of adversity as the teams head coach.

The Islanders usually are a hard team to predict at the trade deadline because of general manager Lou Lamoriellos secrecy. Right now, they are a hard team to predict at the deadline because it is unclear what their biggest needs will be. That will depend on exactly how long Ryan Pulock and Semyon Varlamov remain out with lower-body injuries.

TEMPE, Ariz. A word here in defense of the Islanders, who have been catching criticism due to their lack of organizational goaltending depth in the wake of Semyon Varlamovs injury Tuesday night in Colorado.

Semyon Varlamov exited Tuesday night's Islanders game against the Avalanche after just 14:52 with an apparent injury, with Ilya Sorokin coming in relief.

The Islanders are right back to holding their collective breath about goaltending.

The Avalanche imposed their will on the Islanders throughout a 5-4 overtime loss in which the Isles were extremely fortunate to get a point, with Nathan MacKinnon scoring the winner at four-on-three.