Maharaj, Dunham honing Islanders goalies

Al Montoya got to the Islanders less than a month ago. He's already worked with more goaltending coaches than he had in five previous seasons as a pro.

So perhaps it's not a coincidence that Montoya, at age 26, has opened some eyes in his short time on the Island.

Through this trying season for the Islanders, especially in net, where they've used a franchise-record six goaltenders, the work of the team's two goaltending coaches, Sudarshan Maharaj and Mike Dunham, has never been more vital. And perhaps a reason why all six goaltenders have won at least one game for the Islanders this season.

"There's goalies everywhere you look here," Montoya said. "We only had one part-time coach [Sean Burke] with Phoenix and I never saw him in the minors. Here, with two guys, there's someone with you every day, teaching you. I've learned a lot."

From day one, really. Maharaj, whose unique background - born in Trinidad, raised in Ontario, played professionally in Sweden - includes a specialty in bio-mechanics, noticed that Montoya was back on the heels of his skates when he first came to the Islanders.

Then, Maharaj noticed that Montoya's skates were actually out of line. A couple of millimeters shaved off, and Montoya is more naturally playing on the balls of his feet, and has a sub 2.00 goals against average to show for it.

It's one of the small things that having two sets of eyes only on the goaltenders can bring. Garth Snow had more than a few goaltending coaches and consultants during his many NHL stops, but none that were available to him all the time. He changed that immediately when he became general manager, retaining Maharaj while adding Dunham, Snow's close friend from their days as roommates for the University of Maine.

Their styles are very different. Maharaj, who has worked with Canada's development program and has worked with many goaltenders in their teen years on up, is detail-oriented, a master technician.

Dunham, with his 10 seasons in the NHL, offers a more laid-back, relaxed approach.

"He played in the league, so there's some things he can tell you about that," said Kevin Poulin, the Islanders' prized prospect. Poulin started working with Maharaj as a 17-year-old in the Quebec League; it was Maharaj who helped seal Snow's decision to draft Poulin in the fifth round of the 2008 draft.

"You come to a place where you're already comfortable with someone like Sudsie, it's a big help," Poulin said.

Both goaltending coaches also scout for the Islanders - Maharaj near his Toronto home, Dunham near his New England base. They're able to look at young goaltenders with a specific eye, unlike most scouts who have to cover two entire teams when working a game.

"In order to really do the job to the best of your ability, you should have an idea, have a benchmark. And to me, the benchmark is when I go to see those guys playing in junior hockey," Maharaj said. "And so I get that opportunity to see where they start, to see the progression through the pro leagues. It gives me a much broader perspective. I find I have less surprises."

Nearly all teams have finally come around on employing full-time goaltending coaches. The Allaire brothers, Francois and Benoit, work for the Leafs and Rangers - Henrik Lundqvist's relationship with Benoit Allaire has been a huge plus. Former Islander goaltender Roland Melanson is with the Canucks, Jeff Reese with the Flyers and on down the line.

But there are still holdouts who don't employ full-time goaltending coaches, and ones who don't send their guys to the minors or juniors to scout and advise prospects. "Quarterbacks have their own coaches, so do pitchers," Dunham said. "It seems pretty natural. It's an individual position in a team sport. When I played, I always wanted someone there just for me to talk to about goaltending."