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New York Islanders Five Reasons 2018-19 Season Will be a Success

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: A general view of the arena during the game between the New York Islanders and the Philadelphia Flyers in a preseason game at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2018 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: A general view of the arena during the game between the New York Islanders and the Philadelphia Flyers in a preseason game at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2018 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 18: Robin Lehner #40 of the New York Islanders makes the first period stick save against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Barclays Center on September 18, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 18: Robin Lehner #40 of the New York Islanders makes the first period stick save against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Barclays Center on September 18, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Goaltending is Average NHL Strength

The NHL league average when it came to goaltending in 2017-18 was a 2.78 GAA and a 0.912SV%. The duo of Robin Lehner and Thomas Greiss need to aspire to hit that level in 2018-19.

It’s shouldn’t be difficult for them. With Mitch Korn as the Director of Goaltending for the New York Islanders, both are in great company to shed their terrible seasons from 2017-18.

Remember, Thomas Greiss was a 3.82 GAA and a 0.892SV% and Robin Lehner was a 3.01GAA and 0.908SV% in 2017-18. They were both terrible last season. But both can be at the NHL average if not even above it.

But to be honest, the Islanders just need them to be average. The Isles goalie don’t need to be great. Just average. Middle of the pack is good. More importantly its attainable.

Last season between Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss the New York Islanders had the worst goaltending duo in the NHL. Sure, the defense in front of them wasn’t any better, but Halak and Greiss weren’t helping out the blue line with their play.

This season is hopefully different for the Islanders. With Korn and Piero Greco, the Toronto Marlies former goalie coach, the Isles have set up their goalie to be surrounded by some of the sharpest minds in the business.

If the Islanders can get league average goaltending (again I’m assuming that’s about 2.78GAA and a 0.912SV%), they should be in a good position to succeed.

In all honesty being average is possible for the Islanders goalie duo. And that’s what matters. Something that they can aspire too.

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If the Islanders can be tough to play against if their top six can score and if the goaltending can provide league average returns, it’s absolutely possible for them to end the season on the playoff bubble.

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