New York Islanders goaltender Robin Lehner‘s status for Thursday Night’s re-match against the Ottawa Senators is unclear following his injury during last night’s game. The Islanders announced that they have called up goaltender Christopher Gibson on an emergency basis. Gibson was playing for the Islanders AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.
#Isles Transaction: Christopher Gibson has been emergency recalled from Bridgeport.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 6, 2019
Robin Lehner Injured
Lehner left Tuesday’s game after he was run into by Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk which resulted in a game-tying goal by Jean-Gabriel Pageau with 4:20 left in the third period. Thomas Greiss made two saves to pick up the win in a shootout for the Islanders. Lehner is currently in the NHL’s concussion protocol.
This season, Lehner has played in 38 games with 36 starts for the Islanders. He has a 20-11-5 record with a 2.16 goals-against-average, a .928 save percentage and four shutouts.
Over his nine-year NHL career, Lehner has played for Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, and New York Islanders. He has put up a 92-108-40 career record in 257 career appearances with 241 career starts. He also has a 2.72 goals-against average, .917 save percentage, and 12 shutouts.
What This Means for the Future
This is a huge loss for the Islanders as Robin Lehner is in the midst of a career year. Lehner has been one of the bigger parts of the Islanders success this season which has propelled them into first place in the Metropolitan Division. Lehner is second in goals-against average this season and third in save percentage. Moving forward the Islanders will look to Thomas Griess to pick up a majority of the starts. Griess is having a solid year as well for the Islanders with an 18-10-2 record with a 2.26 goals-against average and .927 save percentage with four shutouts.
With Lehner being hurt the Islanders have called up Christopher Gibson from the AHL. Gibson appeared in one game for the Islanders this year playing a period of hockey and making six of seven saves on December 12th against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Gibson has played in a total of 13 NHL games with a 3-4-3 record with a career 3.56 goals-against-average and .901 save percentage.
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#Isles Transaction: Christopher Gibson has been emergency recalled from Bridgeport.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 6, 2019