Will it be Semyon Varlamov, who has started 14 of the Islanders' 15 games this postseason? Or will it be backup Thomas Greiss, who has made the save on 56 of 59 shots in his two appearances this postseason, each against the Flyers?
Varlamov, who allowed five goals on 31 shots in the 5-4 double-overtime loss in Game 6 on Thursday, has been a shining light this postseason. He is 9-4 with a 2.00 goals-against average and .921 save percentage, but he has struggled in his past four games, winning once and being pulled once after allowing three goals on 10 shots in Game 2. He has a 3.23 GAA and .870 save percentage since then.
Greiss has made one postseason start, making 36 saves on 38 shots in a 3-2 victory in Game 4. He stopped 20 of 21 shots in relief in a 4-3 overtime loss in Game 2.
They each split starts for much of the regular season, with Varlamov going 19-14-6 with a 2.62 GAA and .914 save percentage in 45 appearances while Greiss was 16-9-4 with a 2.74 GAA and .913 save percentage.
NHL.com polled the three writers who have been covering the series to see if they could come to a consensus on whether it should be Varlamov or Greiss.
Here are their thoughts:
Brian Compton, deputy managing editor
Game 7 is all about having the ability to stay composed, to not become rattled. Greiss has that persona. You wouldn't have known he hadn't started at all this postseason when he stepped in on the second game of a back-to-back and made 36 saves in a Game 4 win. Yes, Varlamov has been the guy this postseason, but Greiss is hardly your typical backup; let's not forget they alternated starts for the first 33 games of the regular season and their numbers were similar. This will be a tougher decision than people think for coach Barry Trotz, and I'd go with Greiss. Nothing fazes him, and he wouldn't be fazed Saturday, even with a trip to the conference final hanging in the balance.
Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor
You're right, it is a tough decision because as Trotz said earlier in the series, he can't make a bad choice. Varlamov and Greiss each can win what would be the biggest game of his NHL career. But there's a reason Varlamov was the guy at the start of the postseason, and there's a reason he should be in there for Game 7. In his first four starts against the Flyers he allowed eight goals, including a 29-save shutout in Game 1. Even after allowing five goals in Game 6 he has a 2.00 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage in the postseason, each ranking in the top seven in the League (minimum seven games). Varlamov has played a huge role in the Islanders reaching this point, and that's why I think he deserves to start Game 7.
Tom Gulitti, staff writer
I agree with Adam. As good Greiss was in his start in Game 4 and relief appearance in Game 2, Trotz should stick with Varlamov. Although Varlamov gave up five goals in Game 6, it was difficult to blame him on any of them other than maybe James van Riemsdyk's unscreened slap shot that made it 2-0 in the first period. The mistakes the Islanders made that led to the other goals should be their focus heading into Game 7. Poor decisions and unforced errors resulted in odd-man rushes on three of the goals. Trotz's message should be if the Islanders play like they did in Game 6 (outshooting the Flyers 53-31) and clean up mistakes, they will win Game 7. Changing goalies would suggest the problems were bigger than that in Game 6. If the Islanders get back to playing the smart, disciplined game within their structure, Varlamov will take care of the rest.
