Thomas Greiss looks at home in Islanders' goal
New York Islanders goalie Thomas Greiss makes a save against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period of a game at Barclays Center on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Thomas Greiss needed only 22 saves to record his first win as an Islander on Monday, but it wasn't an easy game. Greiss needed to be sharp when the Jets pulled within a goal with 8:08 to play, keeping a lid on Winnipeg to the end.
It was Greiss' second strong outing to begin his Islanders career. He had 32 saves in Friday's season opener, a 3-2 overtime loss to the Blackhawks. Aside from the big saves -- the biggest Monday was a stop of Jacob Trouba's rebound try in the first with three-quarters of the net open -- Greiss has had a seamless transition in his communication with his defensemen.
"I like the way he played the puck," coach Jack Capuano said. "Communication with the 'D' is crucial at certain times of the game and he really settled some things down."
Jaroslav Halak (upper body) is still day to day and Capuano has no timetable for his return. The Islanders play Thursday and Saturday at home, so Greiss might be the temporary No. 1 for a little while.
Ice better than Friday
John Tavares joked that his missed penalty shot with 2:15 left in the third period was caused by the Barclays Center ice -- "I'll blame that for it," he said -- but the Isles captain said the ice was better than it was for Friday's opener.
"Friday it was tough to make plays, today was a little better," he said. The Islanders also are learning about the lively end boards at Barclays, which helped on Ryan Strome's goal in the first period.
Kyle Okposo missed the net from the point and the puck hit the end boards and came quickly out to the left of the goal, where Strome easily stuffed it home.
"If we were at the Coliseum, I don't think the puck gets out there that fast," Tavares said. "You have to figure out those little things in a new building."
