New York Islanders Three Stars: The Ex’s Edition

First Star: Jean-Francois Berube

Shots Against: 37
SV%: .919

Did anyone think that Jean-Francois Berube would ever get a start this season? It seemed that he’d just waste away as a healthy scratch waiting for either Halak or Greiss to go down with injury. But there he was against the Buffalo Sabers.

Berube doesn’t need to worry about this start affecting his potential free agent status come the end of the season. He still needs another 27 appearances in the next 52 games on the Isles schedule.

A .919 save percentage isn’t generally first start worthy. It’s not bad, but it’s not great. But when it’s the firs action your goaltender has seen all season (minus that single save, five-minute cameo on December 10th) it’s pretty darn good.

And let’s be fair, there wasn’t much Berube could have done for that overtime goal. He came out to play the shooter, tried to cut the angle, but a 3-2 isn’t going to generally end well for the goaltender. So take that away and you’re looking at a .944 SV%.

What a difference a goal makes, right? Not only in the points column, but for the narrative machine.

Next: Isles Put Up a Stinker in the Third...Again

If the Isles go the other way and score, JF gets the W and that outstanding .944 SV%. Now he’s that talk of the town and fans pin Facebook posts and message board updates longing for Berube to be the starter.