One of the biggest reasons for this surprising Islanders’ season that continues with Game 1 of their first-round series against the Penguins on Wednesday night at the Coliseum has been the team’s improved goaltending.
The tandem of Robin Lehner and Thomas Greiss earned having their names inscribed on the Jennings Trophy, the award given to the goaltender(s) who played at least 25 games for the team that finishes the regular season with the fewest goals against.
Lehner, in 46 games, finished with the best save percentage (.930) in franchise history, while Greiss (.927), in his 43 games, was third all time. At even strength, Greiss (.937) and Lehner (.934) were first and second in club history. Lehner has come back from substance abuse and mental health issues, and is a shoo-in to win the Masterton Trophy given annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the sport. The risk that team president Lou Lamoriello took with the one-year, $1.5 million deal certainly paid off, as Lehner will likely start Game 1.
“Everyone knows, it was a big change for me,” Lehner said after posting his sixth shutout of the season, a 29-save performance in a 3-0 win over the Capitals in the regular-season finale Saturday in Washington. “It’s been a long season. But hell of a group here, that’s helped. We’re having fun.
“I think I played good before, too, but this is a little bit of a different situation. Obviously I made a bunch of changes and got some good help, a lot of credit to our goalie coaches too. They helped me and Greiss a lot, too.”
Last year, the Islanders had the fourth-worst team save percentage (.900) and gave up the most goals (293) in the league. This year, with first-year coach Barry Trotz bringing in goaltending gurus Mitch Korn and Piero Greco, they have the league’s best save percentage (.925) and the lowest goals against (191), the first team to go from last to first in goals against in 100 years.
Center Brock Nelson had a career year in collecting 53 points. The 27-year-old, set to be an unrestricted free agent, had 25 goals, one short of his career best set in 2015-16.
The reigning Calder Trophy winner, Mathew Barzal, had a less statistically impressive season than his rookie year but still led the team with 62 points (18 goals, 44 assists).
Captain Anders Lee followed up his 40-goal season of 2017-18 with just 28, as the 28-year-old is set to be unrestricted on July 1. The other big free agent-to-be is Jordan Eberle, who finished with five goals in his past seven games but came up one short of reaching 20, his 19 being his fewest since 2012-13.
Fourth-line center Casey Cizikas set career highs with 20 goals and 33 points.