Where Do You Turn? Varlamov or Greiss for Game 3? | NYHN+

Barry Trotz has talked about how he has two good options to choose from in goal. And talked about that many times. When the Islanders hit the ice for Game 3 on Thursday night, Trotz will have already made a tough choice in net. Thomas Greiss or Semyon Varlamov?

The Islanders bench boss hasn’t really had to face that question of who will start during the postseason. Varlamov has been the go-to since the start of Qualifying Round and he has given the Islanders a strong effort ever since. However, that changed a bit on Wednesday when Varlamov surrendered three goals on 10 shots and Greiss came in midway through the first period in relief.

Greiss made 20 saves for the Islanders and finished the game with a .952 save percentage. The only goal he gave up was the game-winner to Philippe Myers 2:41 into overtime after the Islanders rallied from a 3-0 deficit to force the extra period.

The irony of it all is that this occurred in the same game that Semyon Varlamov set a new franchise record for the longest postseason shutout streak, surpassing Islanders legend Billy Smith.

At the time, Islanders coach Barry Trotz said he was looking to spark his team when he pulled Varlamov in the first period. Seemingly the decision did do that considering the Islanders rallied after that.

“I thought we didn’t help him enough,” Trotz said. “Three goals, I think it was on nine shots. I was just looking for something a little bit different. Not his fault. We didn’t give enough support. We can share the blame as a group and we have to refocus for tomorrow.”

Part of that refocusing will be figuring out who to turn to in net.

Trotz isn’t wrong when he talks about the quality of goaltenders he has to turn to in the postseason. Greiss proved that in his relief effort in Game 2.

Despite not having played in a competitive match since July 29, Greiss looked sharp in net as he turned away 20 shots from the Flyers. Before that Greiss hadn’t played a meaningful game since the regular season.

“I felt pretty good,” Greiss said after the game. “The goalie coaches have done a good job keeping me sharp. Keeping me going there in practice and felt good out there. It wasn’t bad.”

With the first of potentially two back-to-backs sets, there was some thought that Greiss might get into one of those games regardless. Now that decision in goal is magnified a little bit more with the series even at one game apiece.

Game 2 was far from Varlamov’s best outing this postseason, he has been extremely effective for the Islanders in his 10 previous playoff starts this year. That includes two consecutive shutouts and a 138:17 span of shutout hockey for the 32-year-old.

Semyon Varlamov hasn’t allowed three goals more than once in a series during the playoffs and he still has one of the best save percentages and goals against averages among postseason goaltenders.

Barry Trotz didn’t address who will start Game 3 when he met with reporters on Wednesday. Greiss called it a coach’s decision. “We’ll see what happens there, but I’m always ready,” Greiss said.

Game 3 takes place on Thursday at 7 p.m.