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New York Islanders vs. Florida Panthers: 5 Players To Watch For

By Kenneth Teape

Nov 27, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo (1) makes a save against New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (29) as defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) looks on in the first period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo (1) makes a save against New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (29) as defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) looks on in the first period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Islanders vs. Florida Panthers: 5 Players To Watch For
Apr 7, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Islanders goalie Thomas Greiss (1) makes a save against the New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Thomas Greiss

With Jaroslav Halak out for the first round with a groin injury, the starting goaltender job will fall on the shoulders of Thomas Greiss. Greiss has made only one appearance in the postseason, all the way back with the San Jose Sharks during the 2009-10 season. Now, he will be counted on as the starter for the Islanders.

Greiss is coming into the postseason on a low note, as he had a poor final start of the regular season. He was pulled after the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers when he allowed two goals on nine shots, which is not the way you want to head into the playoffs. But, the Islanders were without a number of regulars in that game as they rested for the postseason, so it is not all Greiss’ fault.

Also, he was hot before then. He had won his previous four starts before the poor one against the Flyers, defeating playoff teams in the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning in the process. Greiss has been the starting goaltender for the Islanders since Halak went down on March 8th, and has performed well enough to get the Islanders to this point.

He will be counted on once again, but there is one thing to keep an eye on. In a schedule quirk, the Islanders and Panthers will be playing a back-to-back set for Game 1 and 2. Will Greiss be trusted to start both games?

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That is what makes Game 1 so important; if Greiss can perform well and steal a win, the Islanders could opt to rest him and not risk injury in a back-to-back set, something he has done only once this season. But, if the Islanders lose Game 1, they may not have much choice but to turn to him again as the other options in Christopher Gibson and Jean-Francois Berube leave much to be desired.

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