The Islanders begin the Western Canada portion of their franchise-long nine-game road trip against the Calgary Flames.
Thomas Greiss will once again be between the pipes. Greiss was the big reason the Isles came away with any points in Friday's 2-1 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Greiss has started all five games on this trip. The team is 3-1-1. Greiss has a 2.04 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.
“I’m going with my gut here and we’re going to ride Thomas for a bit,… interim head coach Doug Weight said. “He’s a big, strong guy and I think the opposite of some people — I think when you’re big and strong, you don’t wear down easily. He was unreal in Chicago.…
It's clearly an indictment on J.F. Berube, who has been awful this season. While a Jaroslav Halak helps the Bridgeport Sound Tigers battle for a playoff berth, Berube continues to wear a baseball cap. The backup has allowed four or more goals in three of his last five appearances. It seems like the issue with Halak and the Islanders is personal.
Defenseman Thomas Hickey will return after being scratched Friday. I applaud Weight for making that move, something our previous head coach would have failed to do. Hickey will replace either Adam Pelech or Johnny Boychuk, who sat out practice yesterday after blocking a shot on Friday.
The Flames have been red hot of late, winning six straight and are 11-2-1 in their past 14 games. The Islanders have won five straight against the Flames, their longest winning streak against any opponent.