In the beginning of the 2014-15 season, it seemed like the New York Islanders would live and die by high-scoring games. Jaroslav Halak’s made that a distant memory.
He stopped 34 out of 35 shots in a 3-1 win against the New Jersey Devils tonight, giving him nine straight wins. If Halak isn’t the hottest goalie in the NHL, he’s certainly on the short list right now.
The difference between his play in October versus November is pretty stark. Halak went 3-3-0 with some abysmal numbers (.889 save percentage) in October. He only allowed 14 goals in 10 starts this month, however, recording three shutouts and a 9-1-0 record.
New York Newsday’s Arthur Staple describes this win as a game they wouldn’t have nabbed last season:
#Isles win 3-1. Feel safe saying this was the most "no shot they win this last year" game of the season to date.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) November 30, 2014
Maybe that’s because they didn’t have Halak in net?