This is just the nature of Thomas Greiss — all smiles and perspective.
The Islanders goalie has risen into the realm of franchise folk hero with his performance during this postseason, which continues Friday night at Barclays Center with Game 4 of their second-round series against the Lightning, down in the best-of-seven contest, 2-1. Since regular starter Jaroslav Halak went down with a groin injury on March 8, it has been Greiss’ net, and he has taken it with aplomb.
“It’s just been a fun and crazy ride,” Greiss told The Post on Friday morning. “Obviously the beginning [of the year], the expectations are very different. Otherwise, it’s just been fun. Going week-to-week, or game-by-game, and not think too much about it. Maybe at the end, when it’s all said and done, you look back and it’s a little different. But right now, you just enjoy it.”
He then hesitated for just the slightest moment before letting out another smile through his scraggly brown beard.
“Especially right now — playoffs are the most fun time of the year to play hockey,” he said. “Such good games, and tight games, a lot on the line. So that’s the most fun you can have playing.”
The question in front of the Islanders is twofold, but starts with what to do when Halak is able to play again. He has been skating with the team for almost a full week, and coach Jack Capuano is continually saying Halak is progressing and getting closer. It’s clear Halak will not just step right into the starter’s role, but if he is backing up and Greiss does slip up, the leash has become a lot shorter.
“If he gets back, great,” Greiss said. “He’s a great goalie and he had a great season, and whatever pieces we can add to the team will help the team.”
The other question is what to do with their goaltending next season, when Greiss will turn 31 years old and be in the final year of his two-year, $3 million deal. He hopes this run has opened some eyes around the league in showing that he can be a full-time starter, but, as seemingly is always his comportment, that worry is for another day.
“I hope so, but again, it’s the same thing: I don’t really think about that or worry about that,” Greiss said. “It’s the next game, just play that game. If people look at it and think, ‘Yeah, he’s going to be a starter,’ then great. If not, it’s nothing to worry about right now.”
Drafted by the Sharks in the third round in 2004, the 6-foot-1, 220-pounder from Fussen, Germany is now on his fourth NHL team. He never had played more than the 25 games he played for the Coyotes in 2013-14, and had 40 minutes of postseason experience with a relief appearance for San Jose in 2010.
But even though he shocked some bystanders in the 41 games for the Islanders this regular season, notching a 2.36 goals-against average and .925 save percentage, he is not quite as unheralded as one might think. Just ask Brian Boyle, the Lightning’s Game 3 savior, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime. The former Ranger played against Greiss in the AHL during the 2007-08 season, when he was with the Kings’ affiliate and Greiss with the Sharks.
“The goaltender, that kid is playing great,” Boyle said recently. “I remember playing against him. He’s athletic, he competes. We just have to make sure we can’t be taken by surprise by any of these guys. We have to be prepared and understand what’s at stake here.”
That was before Game 2, when Boyle’s team was reeling after losing 5-3 in Game 1. But they have shown their true colors in Games 2 and 3, playing with pace and skill and beating Greiss for eight goals on 71 shots. They haven’t all been entirely Greiss’ fault, just as the Islanders’ run into the second round hasn’t been entirely his doing.
Yet it continues, and no matter how long it goes, Greiss is enjoying every minute.
“Nobody is going to do anything by themselves in this league” Greiss said. “Everyone has been working unbelievably hard, and it makes me look good. And I’m grateful for that. It’s been a fun ride with the guys.”