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New York Islanders Answering Five Questions From Start of Season

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: (l-r) Lou Lamoriello and Garth Snow of the New York Islanders look at the draft board prior to the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: (l-r) Lou Lamoriello and Garth Snow of the New York Islanders look at the draft board prior to the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 24: Robin Lehner #40 of the New York Islanders glances at a referee during the third period against the Florida Panthers at the Barclays Center on October 24, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Can Robin Lehner Be Good?

With the goaltending issues that the New York Islanders had in 2017-18, it was surprising to see the Islanders bring in a goalie that was just released from his team for what looked like performance issues.

Of course, that was before we knew of Robin Lehner’s struggles off the ice.

Statistically, the New York Islanders were bringing in a goalie that didn’t have a good year. If the Sabres were willing to move on from Lehner how good could he be for the Islanders? Could he be an effective starter or even a good partner in a 1a-1b tandem with Thomas Greiss?

Answer: Clearly the answer here is “yes”. Through 25 games played (23 starts), Lehner has a 2.11GAA (first in the league*) and a 0.928SV% (second in the league*).

*For goalies who have played at least 15 games.

The only significant statistical goalie category that Robin Lehner isn’t leading in is wins. With 14 on the season, Lehner ranks 21st in the NHL for wins. With Thomas Greiss also sitting at 14 wins it makes sense why Lehner doesn’t sit in the top ten with some of the numbers he’s put up.

With the season the Islanders had in nets last year all we wanted was league average goalkeeping. This season that’s a 2.85GAA and a 0.908SV%. Lehner is eclipsing both metrics (to be fair so is Greiss).

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