NHL Playoffs 2016: Islanders are screwed without Jaroslav Halak

Are the Islanders screwed against the Panthers without Jaroslav Halak? 

The New York Islanders will play the Florida Panthers in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. They were expecting to get starting goaltender Jaroslav Halak back for the first round, but the team has ruled him out.

This is not good news for the Islanders. Halak has proven to be an effective goaltender in the playoffs, but the Islanders will now be forced to put all of their eggs in the basket of goaltender Thomas Greiss. Greiss has done marvelously in a backup role, and has quietly been one of the better backups in the NHL during his eight year career.

However, Greiss has never been a starting goaltender for an extended period of time. His numbers have dropped considerably since he became the Islanders’ starting goaltender after Halak was injured on March 8. Halak re-injured an old groin injury that day against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Without Halak, the Islanders have to stick with Greiss in the playoffs. They don’t have a another legitimate option. Greiss is completely unproven; game one against the Panthers will be the first time that he has ever played in the playoffs. If he falters, the Islanders don’t have a Plan B.

Granted, goaltenders are fickle in the playoffs. Weird stuff happens. Greiss could become the next Ken Dryden, and unexpectedly carry his team all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals. However, that is certainly not very likely.

If Halak was healthy, the Islanders would also have a Plan B in Greiss. Without Halak, it’s all up to Greiss. That’s not an ideal situation. The Islanders have relied on their goaltending this season, and they’ll now have to rely on an unproven goalie in the playoffs.

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