New York Islanders: Three thoughts as the regular season nears its end

Who is in goal?

The best part about the New York Islanders is that they truly have a great goaltending tandem. I truly believe that both of them are just as important to the team and I am still not sure if just Thomas Greiss or Robin Lehner could handle the entire workload by themselves, they need each other to be better.

And to say one is better than the other would just be an opinion at this point. After all, during Sunday’s game vs the Coyotes, Robin Lehner recorded his fifth shutout of the season, matching Greiss for the team lead. The Isles have two reliable goalies and both of them are capable.

While I don’t think having a true number one goalie is an actual “problem” again, everything is different in the playoffs. Teams can make runs simply if their goalie gets hot. The Islanders know that very well. The Islanders will still probably use both Greiss and Lehner in the playoffs, but which one should start Game 1?

Starting Game 1 of a playoff series would be the ultimate nod of approval from Barry Trotz, whoever he picks, it would essentially tell us who he think the true number one goalie is because that is who he wants starting the playoffs.

If that goes well, then maybe Trotz will just ride the hot hand. Again, this is all speculative, they have to get to the playoffs first, but they are going to have to get creative between the pipes if they do. They have to get it right because both have been so solid that if Game 1 starter struggles, it will look bad for the coaching staff.

I would like to see one really emerge by the end of the season in terms of whom to go with in the playoffs, I want to say it is looking like Lehner right now, but Greiss is great against the Metro Division. Imagine he poke checks Crosby in the playoffs?

Who is the Isles’ number one goalie? We need to find out before and during the Stanley Cup playoffs.