Ever-Greene

Andy Greene hasn't missed a beat.
Throughout the
Islanders' 4-0 victory
over the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 1 of their Second-Round series, the 37-year-old blueliner was the steady pulse to a composed tempo, helping orchestrate an impressive win on a big stage.

Greene displayed the kind of cool-under-pressure demeanor to be expected from a veteran leader, and then some. Greene scored the Isles' game-winning goal, committed to a team-high of four blocks - including a vital one as the first period was reaching expiration - threw two hits, fired off two shots on net and logged 18:37 TOI. For his efforts, the unassuming defenseman was named the game's third star.

Since joining the Isles lineup in the absence of Johnny Boychuk, who went down in Game 1 of the Islanders' Qualifier series against the Florida Panthers, the New Jersey Devils captain has provided the Islanders with a steady presence and priceless experience that he gained from his 14 seasons in the NHL.
"Greener is so solid back there," Isles captain Anders Lee said. "He has such a veteran presence, he's been around, he's seen a lot and played in a ton of big games. His experience has been extremely valuable for us and our d-core. The vocal leader that he is. There's a reason why he was a captain in Jersey. He's such a great guy that's come into our room and really made a phenomenal impact. Tonight, to really get us going, that was huge."
The Isles jumped out to a hot start against their Metropolitan Division rival and made it a point to assert themselves first in a period where they'd eventually outshoot the Flyers 15-4.
Upon hemming Philadelphia into their own zone, the Isles cycled the puck around. Brock Nelson dished the puck out to Greene at the blueline. The lefty wired his shot past Philadelphia's ripe goaltender, Carter Hart, to put the Isles on the board 6:06 into the period and deposited his first postseason goal in a decade.

Greene bookended a stellar period from his teammates and his own dominant effort, with a vital play and selfless play with 1:31 left in the first period. In transition, the Flyers flew up the ice and looked to deflate the Isles' momentum with a conversion off an odd-man rush. Their attempt was cleverly disrupted.
As Greene skated backwards anticipating the decision, he slyly waited until the last second before ever-so-smoothing extending his skate backwards to deny Travis Konecny from burying the puck on the backdoor.
The patience, read and execution on the play was emblematic of that of a true veteran. One who has learned a thing or two throughout his casual 933-career games and an additional 59 postseason contests.
"One was luckier than the other," Greene said. "On the goal, I just got to the middle there and put that through. The other one was, I can't let that pass get through - at that point once it did - it was just desperation mode and got lucky."
Following their dominant first period, the Isles slipped away from their game in the second frame in the wake of the high-voltage play that seemed to have jump started from the Flyers following the intermission.
Greene created one of the Isles few chances in the period where they were outshot 15-7 and pinned in their own zone. Off a rush midway through the period, Mathew Barzal dished the puck out to Greene who had joined the play. Greene sent a shot towards Hart intentionally aiming for the pad save to shoot out to either Barzal or Matt Martin who were on the doorstep. Hart covered the puck from a scrum, but it was a sharp read by Greene.

The Isles erased their dip in play in the second period, as they decisively grasped the third period en route to their win and shutout, with three additional goals.
"We need every single guy out there, every night, every game," Greene said. "When we do that, we're a very good team. The second period, we kind of got away from our game a little bit and they took it to us. We saw how the first and third period went, that's more what we need out of our game. It's not just about one guy. It's about the group of five or six of us out on the ice there."
Since joining the Isles back in February, a week ahead of the NHL's Trade Deadline, Greene has been a seamless fit. He recorded a point in his Islanders debut, recording an assist vs the Arizona Coyotes and has only grown closer through the NHL's Pause, joining group chats and Zooms with the team. A mid-summer training camp allowed him to further learn Barry Trotz's systems and the time in the bubble has only strengthened the bonds.
"The time that we've had as a group, the various phases to get to this point and the time that it's taken to get to this point, he's really [not just] endeared himself to his teammates, but he's become an Islander," Head Coach Barry Trotz said. "When you've played with other organizations for a long time, it takes a while. Just because of the fact that he's had a long time basically a training camp and we'll say a playoff run here together, he's become a big part of the group. He's getting used to our identity and our culture and all of the things that we do. He's got some great leadership value from his experience with his former team and you understand why he was a captain and a leader for the Devils for so many years."

Even while playing on his off side while paired with fellow left-shot, Nick Leddy, he's embraced the transition and provided the consistent role asked of him.
"With playing on your off side there, it's really important to make sure you're in good position, you know what you're doing with the puck and that you're constantly shoulder checking because you've got that blind spot there to your right," Greene said of the adjustment. "Just make sure you put yourself in good spots, make sure you're moving your feet and make sure you make the play. Don't sit there and dust it off or try to make something cute, just get it and get it up to the forwards."
He may only have 10 regular season games and nine playoff games in the Isles threads, but Greene has already entwined himself in harmony with the team's identity with his play and team-first attitude. Monday's effort was just the latest example.