Thomas Greiss stops Sidney Crosby's OT breakaway en route to shootout win
New York Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss makes a glove save in front of Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Patric Hornqvist during the third period of an NHL hockey game at Barclays Center on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Goalie Thomas Greiss didn’t hesitate, skating away from his crease, diving and poking the puck off Sidney Crosby’s stick to thwart an overtime breakaway and help the Islanders to a 3-2 shootout win over the Penguins on Thursday at Barclays Center.
“I guess he didn’t expect that,” Greiss said. “You’ve got to mix it up every once in a while and keep him guessing. I’m glad it worked.”
Greiss, likely to play on Saturday against the Devils as well, improved to 3-2-0 with his confident outing. He made three of his 29 saves in overtime, including one on Kris Letang at the buzzer, and didn’t allow a goal in the shootout.
“He puts the flying V skates together on a five-hole shot at the end,” captain Anders Lee said. “He’s playing some great goal right now and he’s the reason why we won tonight.”
Lehner update
Goalie Robin Lehner (strain) did not dress after exiting Tuesday’s win at Pittsburgh after two periods. Christopher Gibson was recalled from Bridgeport (AHL) on an emergency basis to serve as the backup Thursday. The Islanders hope Lehner’s absence will be a short one. “He’s day-to-day and he may be on the ice as soon as [Friday],” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said.
Isles files
RW Cal Clutterbuck logged 10:50 as he returned to the lineup after missing two games with an upper-body injury . . . D Ryan Pulock logged a season-high 26:51 . . . The Islanders marked the start of November’s Hockey Fights Cancer month with breast cancer awareness night at Barclays Center. Proceeds went to the Susan G. Komen organization . . . D Luca Sbisa and left wing Ross Johnston were scratched . . . The Penguins reportedly have raised more than $200,000 to help victims and families of the mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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