The New York Islanders got some good news on Saturday, as goaltender Jaroslav Halak will make his season debut against the San Jose Sharks, according to Newsday.
The 30-year-old missed the first four games of the regular season with an upper-body injury, but his replacement, Thomas Greiss, didn’t look out of place while filling in.
Greiss went 2-0-1 in Halak’s absence, and he’s coming off a 44 save performance in a win over Nashville on Thursday.
“It’s always good to get in a rhythm, play a few games,” Greiss told Newsday. “It’s even good to face a lot of shots like I did [on Thursday night]. Gets you right into the game.”
Even with their backup goaltender playing so well, the Islanders are happy to see Halak return.
Jar-o! Jar-o! Halak will make his season debut tonight! #Isles pic.twitter.com/gpae8jae1o
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) October 17, 2015
Last season, Halak set a new franchise record by winning 38 games. He also posted a 2.43 goals-against-average and a .914 save percentage in his first year with the team.
San Jose hasn’t named their starter yet. Martin Jones, who is 4-0-0 with a 0.49 goals-against-average and a .982 save percentage, beat the Devils last night.
Elsewhere...
Petr Mrazek will be between the pipes for Detroit as they travel to Montreal to take on Carey Price and the Canadiens. Price is coming off a shutout of the New York Rangers. He has a 4-0-0 record to go along with a 1.25 goals-against-average and a .957 save percentage this season.
Cam Ward will play on back-to-back nights for Carolina. Braden Holtby, coming off a win against Chicago earlier this week, will start for the Capitals in Nicklas Backstrom’s return.
Jonathan Bernier will be in goal for the first time since Oct. 9 as the Leafs take on the Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury, who picked up his first win on Thursday, gets the call for the Pittsburgh.
Kari Lehtonen will make his third straight start for Dallas. Roberto Luongo and his 1.34 goals-against-average and .959 save percentage will be in goal for the Panthers.
Chad Johnson continues to get the call for Buffalo. He’ll go up against Ben Bishop who will be between the pipes for the Lightning.
Carter Hutton will get his first start of the year when Nashville takes on Ottawa. The Senators will counter with veteran Craig Anderson.
After getting shelled by the Leafs on Friday night, the Blue Jackets have yet to name a starter. The Blackhawks will go with Corey Crawford.
Cam Talbot is expected to be in goal when the Oilers when they take on their provincial rivals. Calgary will counter with Jonas Hiller.
The struggling Tuukka Rask is expected to be in goal in Arizona tonight. the ‘Yotes are believed to be going with Mike Smith.