Ben Shelley: Islanders' goaltending will play a key role in qualifying round

You bring up an interesting point. Do you start Greiss in Game 1 since he has played well against the Cats this year?

IMO, use the numbers and start whoever has a big advantage against the opponent. Against Fla, that's Griess. It may even help him find a new gig for next year.

You bring up an interesting point. Do you start Greiss in Game 1 since he has played well against the Cats this year?
- NYIFan4Life

Thanks for reading!

Honestly, I'm not sure where I stand on it. Varlamov also played well against the Panthers in his one game against them this year and has a .922 career SV% against FLA. If Varlamov is the starter, I'd imagine he'll have a pretty short leash.

IMO, use the numbers and start whoever has a big advantage against the opponent. Against Fla, that's Griess. It may even help him find a new gig for next year.
- Puckin_Island

Greiss does have better number against Florida throughout his career but Varlamov isn't far behind. I'd say I'm pretty confident in either of them against the Panthers.

Either is a safe choice. It's all moot if the Islanders can't find line combinations that can score against B-ski.

Have a feeling they’re going to wind up cancelling this “season”.

Have a feeling they’re going to wind up cancelling this “season”.
- Cptmjl

I may be in the minority, but I'd rather see that than some franken-playoffs that produces some half-assed champion. Obviously the financial ramifications of it are pretty bad for the league so I'll understand if they force-feed us this two-hub tournament...but I'd rather they just cut their losses and start the season at normal time in the fall.

I really hope we get to watch them play this series but at this point I am not overly confident this is going to happen. I hope I am wrong...

That said I think the team Defense will be more important than the goal tending. If they play well in front of Greiss or Varly they will make them look good. If they come out sleeping and give up a ton of odd man rushes like they used to before Trotz got here they will make them look terrible.

I really hope we get to watch them play this series but at this point I am not overly confident this is going to happen. I hope I am wrong...

That said I think the team Defense will be more important than the goal tending. If they play well in front of Greiss or Varly they will make them look good. If they come out sleeping and give up a ton of odd man rushes like they used to before Trotz got here they will make them look terrible.
- niteislander

I read somewhere that the only time the cup wasn't awarded was in 1918? during the Spanish flu pandemic. I want them to finish it, even if the 'season' standings are decided by tournament play.

I don't know how reliable this is, but I read that the NHL is considering staying with a January season start as the norm. I don't know the logic behind that.

At the end of the season, the Islanders were missing Cizikas and Pelech and went 2-11 in their last 13. Even with 2 games in hand, I figured they were out of the playoffs. I hope they take advantage of all the breaks this delay and format has given them.

Have a feeling they’re going to wind up cancelling this “season”.
- Cptmjl

I may be in the minority, but I'd rather see that than some franken-playoffs that produces some half-assed champion. Obviously the financial ramifications of it are pretty bad for the league so I'll understand if they force-feed us this two-hub tournament...but I'd rather they just cut their losses and start the season at normal time in the fall.
- eichiefs9

I said the same thing a few weeks ago on here.

- mdw7413

- Cptmjl

Thats just (frank)ing creepy

Thats just (frank)ing creepy
- mdw7413

My GF had that exact same massage pillow. The red lights on the rotating parts freaked the cat out every time

My GF had that exact same massage pillow. The red lights on the rotating parts freaked the cat out every time
- eichiefs9

It looks like a rotating breast.

It looks like a rotating breast.
- mdw7413

It looks like a rotating breast.
- mdw7413

- eichiefs9

- nyisles7

Wtf!