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New York Islanders Three Candidates for 2018-19 Team MVP

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 20: Robin Lehner #40 of the New York Islanders pauses during the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at NYCB Live at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on January 20, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Ducks 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 20: Robin Lehner #40 of the New York Islanders pauses during the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at NYCB Live at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on January 20, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Ducks 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 20: Thomas Greiss #1 of the New York Islanders takes a break during a stop in play in the second period of a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on December 20, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Islanders 4-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Thomas Greiss

Both goalies make the list. Looking around at the rest of the roster it’s hard to make the case for anyone else. I thought about Brock Nelson. While Brock’s been a shadow of his former self (in a good way) he hasn’t been an MVP in my books.

Thomas Greiss has not only been a shadow of his former self (again, in a good way) but he’s also given the Islanders a chance to win every time he stars.

He’s played 33 games this year and hold a fourth-ranked save percentage with 0.928 and a goals-against average that’s tied for third at 2.24. Again, those rankings are for goalies that have played at least 20 games.

That’s one heck of a departure from a Thomas Greiss who was an absolute liability last season. Under Doug Weight, Greiss was routinely exposed and just didn’t look comfortable out there. Although who would when you’re facing upwards of 50 shots against a night?

With Barry Trotz at the helm, the New York Islanders have a defensive system that allows both Greiss and Robin Lehner to see pucks and make stops.

While Trotz’s system allows Greiss to be in a position to make the stop, he still actually has to make it. Every time Greiss is in net the Islanders have a chance to win.

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It’s not every team that can legitimately call both of their goalie MVP candidates. But for the New York Islanders, that’s absolutely the case. Both have been instrumental in pushing the Islanders to the top of the Metropolitan Division.

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