Varlamov, Greiss get job done for Isles
Ryan Pulock pondered and paused. What do players look for, the Islanders defenseman had been asked, that establishes trust in goalies?
“It’s a good question,” Pulock said after Tuesday’s practice. “I don’t know if it’s anything you look for. I think it’s just something that comes. You gain that trust in a player just from them doing the right things, over and over. They just consistently do their job.”
Coach Barry Trotz has started the season allowing both Thomas Greiss and free-agent signee Semyon Varlamov to establish that trust, alternating them through the Islanders’ first six games. If that pattern holds, Varlamov will start Thursday night when the Islanders open a two-game road trip against the Jets.
Greiss, in the last season of a three-year, $10 million contract, is 2-1-0 with a 2.27 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage after making 21 saves in Monday’s 3-2 overtime home win over the defending Stanley Cup champion Blues. Varlamov, who signed a fouryear, $20 million deal, is 1-2-0 with a 3.16 GAA and .905 save percentage after stopping 35 shots in Saturday’s 3-2 shootout win over the visiting Panthers.
Both goalies faced considerably fewer odd-man rushes in those starts than in their first two.
“We’re still working a lot on my technique and trying to improve things,” said Varlamov of his sessions with director of goaltending Mitch Korn and goalie coach Piero Greco. “It’s not easy to make those adjustments. It takes time and you have to believe in the process.
“We’re trying to simplify my game and work on some things with the footwork, bring my feet closer together,” Varlamov added. “It’s small things but small things make a big difference when you play the game.”
Trotz said he’s a “big believer” in giving both his goalies work early, figuring the team will need to rely on both throughout the long season.
“We’ve been able to keep both of them engaged and allowing Varly to come to a new team and assimilate,” Trotz said. “Not only with his teammates but with the way we play.”