New York Islanders: Stanley Cup Playoffs Profile, Thomas Greiss

While he might have fallen slightly behind in terms of overall attention, it is New York Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss who could end up being one of the biggest assets to this team as they prepare for the playoffs.

While the goaltending position has been a disaster for the New York Islanders over the last few seasons, and that’s being generous, it is Thomas Greiss‘ season this year that has been the most surprising. Greiss is the longest tenured goalie on this team and he has been to the playoffs before. Here is his Stanley Cup Profile.

The New York Islanders are where they are, about to host a playoff series for the first time this millennium, for a lot of reasons. You could pick a few reasons and I am sure it would be logical. However, and there is no way around it, the Islanders are where they are because of the play of their goaltenders. No doubt about it.

Without the career resurgences of both Greiss and Robin Lehner, the Islanders would have hit their ceiling a long time ago. A stalling offense was often bailed out by outstanding goaltending always keeping them in games. In fact, the Isles’ duo just won the Jennings trophy for the goaltending duo with the least amount of goals against.

However, all of what Greiss has done this season is null and void. Everybody gets a fresh start. The Islanders and Penguins will faceoff with essentially 0-0 records. I’ve already gone through and talked about how little playoff experience Lehner has, thankfully Greiss is much different.

In his NHL career, Greiss has played in 12 playoffs games total. He played in one game as a member of the San Jose Sharks in 2009-2010. That is a very long time ago, but still good for 40 minutes of action, 26 saves, and a .929 SV%. However, that is nothing compared to his most recent Stanley Cup Playoff games.

He is the most recent Islanders goalie to play in the playoffs. As you might remember, the last time the Islanders made the playoffs it was the 2015-16 season and Greiss helped carry them through the first round. In total that year, he played in 11 games, started all 11, won five games, has a .926 SV%, including a .947SV% in the series against the Panthers alone, a 2.46 GAA, and 358 saves. He was between the pipes when the Islanders finally won that playoff series.

So overall, while I would still give the green light for Lehner to start Game 1 against the Penguins, and stick with him if he is hot, it is actually Greiss who has the more recent and useful sample size of playing in the playoffs. I would even say Greiss did a good job in the playoffs last time out. He has been there before with some of the same players they have right now.

Either way, there is no doubt Greiss is going to play a role in this playoff run. He has been just as impressive as every other Islanders who are having career years/revivals. He is a guy who knows how to play playoff games in the Barclays Center, should the Isles get to the second round, and it his 11 games played a few years ago that really stands out to me.

Much like it’s been noted, the playoffs are a whole different demon. The best teams will always be able to stay true to their identity and overcome the demons that can be the pressure of the playoffs. The Isles identity is very much their goaltending thriving. They can’t thrive or have their identity without #1 being at his best if called upon.

Greiss, Greiss, Baby.