As the Islanders approach their first game of 2016, they finally square off with the Penguins tonight in Pittsburgh. With New York almost halfway through the 15/16 campaign they will start to sink their teeth into the heart of the division schedule.
Thomas Greiss will get the start in net tonight against the Pens and it is expected that Jaroslav Halak will return to the starting lineup tomorrow. The Isles team MVP may in fact be Griess. Where would this team be without capable goaltending? It is such a foreign thought for Isles fans to have a steady backup goalie with the lot this organization has peddled on us the past 5 years. The Isles are far from a perfect team but they finally boast solid, dependable goaltending.
Their is no word yet to the extent of Johnny Boychuk's upper-body injury that happened in Buffalo on New Year's Eve. Boychuk has been placed on Injured Reserve and he will be reevaluated on Monday.
The Isles have recalled Adam Pelech in his place and he will be in the press box tonight. Brian Strait will move up into a top four role in Boychuck's absence. Insert Brain Strait joke here. I'm not even going to ramble on about this move OR the fact that Ryan Pulock remains in Bridgeport. You have all heard this rant before. This takes nothing away from the play of Pelech who is the most steady defender on the Sound Tigers. I just don't understand what more Pulock has to prove when he continues to excell at all aspects of his game.