New York Islanders Three Way Too Early Hot Takes

Goalies Will be Above Average

We weren’t confident on the Thomas Greiss-Robin Lehner duo going into the season. And rightfully so. Both had come off terrible years in 2017-18. Greiss with his 3.82GAA and 0.892SV% and Lehner with a 3.01GAA and 0.908SV%.

But all we needed from the two of them was to give the Islanders a fighting chance. Vezina caliber goaltending would be great, but the bar was set at league average. Just be average and the team in front of them could take care of the rest.

Remember that last season the league average for goalies in goals against and save percentage was: 2.78GAA and 0.912SV%.

It’s not like both are incapable of being above average. Just two years ago Thomas Greiss backstopped the Islanders to within a point of the playoffs with a 2.69GAA and a 0.913 SV%. Like Greiss, Lehner was above average two seasons ago with a 2.68GAA and 0.920SV%.

With the institutional support the Islanders are giving these two goalies with coach Piero Greco and Director of Goaltending Mitch Korn both are in the best position to succeed.

And so far they are showing it. In two starts Greiss has a 2.68 GAA and 0.918SV%. While Lehner in his only start so far, has a 35 save shutout to his name.

Both are playing well in nets. They look solid, confident, calm, and they completely trust the product in front of them. Both Greiss and Lehner can and will sustain above average NHL number come seasons end.

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Its only been three games so far. It’s early, I know. But with that big gap in the schedule, it was time to reflect on what we’ve seen so far.