Islanders Thomas Greiss Gets Start In Game 7

Barry Trotz names Thomas Greiss the starter for the New York Islanders in Game 7 against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night.

After allowing five goals in Game 6, I wrote that the Islanders should bench Semyon Varlamov for Thomas Greiss. Not that all five goals were on Varlamov, but the Isles needed a spark in my eyes and Greiss has been very good in this series.

Well, Barry Trotz decided to change the goalie and Thomas Greiss will in fact be taking over in net for Game 7 for Trotz’s team. Greiss has been excellent in both appearances in the playoffs this year.

He came in Game 2 and allowed just one goal and then in Game 4, on the back to back, he allowed just two goals. He has a .949 save percentage and a 1.68 goals against average in the series against Philly.

Thomas Greiss is no stranger to playoff hockey with the Islanders. In 2016, he played hero for them to help the Isles advance to the second round for the first time since 1993. Now, ironically, he’s trying to help them advance to the Conference Final for the first time since 1993.

In 2016, he started 11 games and finished with a .923 save percentage and a 2.46 goals against average.

Yes, the pressure is extremely high on the veteran getting just his second start of the playoffs this year in Game 7 but he is more than ready to go.

The Islanders are lucky enough to have two capable goalies who split time rather evenly. Varlamov started 39 games while Greiss started 28 games for them.

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This was the right move from Trotz, who clearly realizes his team needs a spark. With Carter Hart on top of his game, the Isles are banking on a big performance from Greiss. In Trotz, in Lou, and in Greiss we trust. Buckle up for Game 7.