Thomas Greiss stole two points for the New York Islanders as he made 40 saves en route to a 3-1 victory in San Jose.
- New York Islanders (2-2-1, 5pts) 3
- San Jose Sharks (1-3-0, 2pts) 1
- NHL Final, Box Score
- SAP Center, San Jose, CA
The New York Islanders needed two points tonight, no exceptions.
Fortunately, Thomas Greiss delivered making 40 saves in a 3-1 theft of a win for the Islanders.
After allowing the go-ahead goal for the San Jose Sharks, the Islanders and Greiss didn’t let it get to them. Brock Nelson netted two goals and the game winner with Cal Clutterbuck icing the game for the Islanders.
GREISSER. ??? #Isles pic.twitter.com/30xXJi0FNc
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) October 15, 2017
It wasn’t neat, pretty, or clean, but the Islanders managed to find a way to nab two points from the Sharks for their first road win of the season.
With the Islanders down a goal in the first, the first line came through with a huge tip-in goal by Anders Lee, from Jordan Eberle and Adam Pelech.
.@leeberr09 with the tip-in goal to tie it up in San Jose. #Isles pic.twitter.com/GM7h4F5Hq8
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) October 15, 2017
The Islanders continued with solid bursts of energy back and forth, trading chance after chance with the Sharks and some close calls.
Hats off to the rookies as well, notably Josh Ho-Sang and Mathew Barzal with some very good opportunities between the two. No dice on the scoresheet yet (for Barzal) but the points will come if they continue to ‘do the right things’.
Add Scott Mayfield to that list, who has made well on his promise to snag Travis Hamonic’s open roster spot.
Ho-Sang to Nelson #4thLineBrock #Isles pic.twitter.com/hJzuGYiPa8
— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) October 15, 2017
Speaking of Ho-Sang, he had an incredible dish to Nelson after a spectacular solo effort to put the Islanders ahead 2-1, and suddenly San Jose was aware that they were in danger.
With two periods in the books, the Islanders knew a storm was coming from the Sharks, who nearly cashed in several golden opportunities and the frustration from the home team was evident.
Thomas Greiss is frustrating Joe Pavelski, A LOT #Isles pic.twitter.com/c60Q7Kl011
— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) October 15, 2017
To not put you through the stress of watching the Islanders third period, Greiss was able to have a much-needed comeback effort after a less-than-ideal walloping on opening night. Greiss has now allowed only three goals on 75 shots since his first game in Columbus.
Cal Clutterbuck — who was re-inserted into the lineup following a brief bout with an injury — iced the game for the Islanders with an empty-net goal and allowed for a very heavy sigh of relief from Islanders fans watching.
But for those that think Head Coach Doug Weight won’t have as much work to do in practice tomorrow, think again.
The Islanders powerplay is now an abysmal 0/18, and as one of four teams who have yet to score a powerplay goal (and also consider the Islanders are well aware of their powerplay struggles, coming off a 28th overall finish), shakeups need to be made in how they coordinate their underwhelming attack.
The Islanders conclude their California road trip against the L.A. Kings, with coverage beginning at 10:30 p.m. once more on MSG+.
A note for tomorrow night’s contest: Jonathan Quick was in net for the Kings tonight, so it’s likely the Islanders see Darcy Kuemper tomorrow.
