Semyon Varlamov became the first goalie in Islanders history to record back to back playoff shutouts as the Islanders cruised to a 4-0 victory in Game 1 against the Flyers in Toronto on Monday.

Varlamov stopped all 29 shots he faced, including 15 in the second period. His shutout streak stands at 136:20, 39 seconds short of Billy Smith’s Islanders playoff record.

“It feels good to get back to back shutouts, but at this point it’s not about shutouts,” Varlamov said. “It’s playoff hockey. The most important thing for me is to get the win and get ready for the next game.”

Andy Greene scored the game winning goal in the first period.  It was his first playoff goal in about a decade and his first as a New York Islander.

“I saw a shot lane, put that through,” Greene said.

Greene’s goal was one of 15 shots the Islanders had in the first period. The Flyers only had four.

Then, early in the third, Ross Johnston and Leo Komarov executed a strong forecheck to set up J.G Pageau for the Isles’ second goal.

“[Johnston] and [Komarov] bring their 110% every day, every night, every practice day,” Pageau said. “We have a lot of character and it shows on the ice.”

A few minutes later, Anders Lee finished a beautiful passing play from Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle to put the Isles up by three.

Devon Toews scored the fourth goal when a clearing attempt hit a stanchion in the glass and bounced into the net.

Even though both teams had 29 shots each, the Flyers struggled to garner any offense in the first and third period.

“The top players have got to play better,” Flyers forward Claude Giroux said. “I’m obviously one of them and I’ve got to get going here.”

The Flyers scored only 11 goals in six games against the Canadiens in the previous round. Similar problems from that series carried over into Game 1.

“They were the better team in the first, we were the better team in the second and couldn’t find a way to capitalize on some of our real good looks,” Vigneault said. “The third period got a little bit away from us.  We lost a couple of battles that they were able to capitalize on.”

This was the 10th playoff game in a row the Islanders allowed less than 30 shots, a first for the franchise. This is also the first series between the Isles and Flyers since 1987, which the Flyers won in seven games. The teams will play Game 2 Wednesday at 3 p.m. in Toronto.

Ben Baruch

Born and raised on Long Island. Isles fan since 2009. Studying journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park.