Nabokov Coming Up Big in Long Island April 11, 2013

For many hockey pundits, the shortened 2012-2013 season would follow a similar script of years passed for the New York Islanders. There would be decent to very good talent up front, so-so defense, and mediocre goaltending. It would be another year of what ifs and overall disappointment for a franchise that has not seen the playoffs since the Wade Dubielewicz miracle in 06-07.   What the pundits were not counting on however was the resurgence of Evgeni Nabokov in nets.  

His stats may not seem off the chart – 2.59 GAA, .908 save percentage and three shutouts are not anything in the way of Vezina-like. However, what the stats do not illustrate is the calming influence he has had over the team, which has led them to a 20-16-4 record, and current 7th place classification in the East.  

Simply put, there has not been a goaltender in Long Island in years that has been this consistent and steady all season long.   Few could have predicted Nabakov would end up being the goalie that would help put them in the playoff mix. Especially considering how he ended up in Long Island.  

Rewind to January, 2011. The Islanders claimed Nabakov off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings who had signed him to a one-year deal from the KHL. After refusing to report to the team, speculation grew that he had no intention of ever joining the team. Still, when the 11-12 season rolled around, there he was in training camp, ready to go.

"A lot of people speculated that I didn't want to go to the organization but that's totally not true," Nabokov told the newspaper.

"What made me make that decision is that I hadn't skated for a month and a half when they claimed me. They were out of the playoffs, but battling to get in and, as a goalie, I know the goalie position is important when fighting for position (in the standings). I didn't feel that I could help them to get to the playoffs. I needed three to our weeks to get ready and the season would've been over."  

Despite playing all of last season under the threat of a potential trade, Nabakov went ahead and signed another 1-year deal this year. It has turned out to be one of the best moves the organization has made in a while.  

“He’s played well,” Jack Capuano said. “He’s carried the load for us here for the most part. He’s an experienced guy who’s played a lot of hockey. He’s been in this situation before.”

It is still to be determined whether or not the Islanders qualify for the playoffs, but if they do, they will have had a proven winner to count on in nets, something the team and fans have sorely missed.