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New York Islanders

Three Positives Storylines for the New York Islanders So Far This Season

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2 years ago

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New York Islanders

When looking through a lens on the New York Islanders 2021-22 season thus far, the negatives outweigh the positives. But I like to consider myself a glass-half-full kind of guy, and although the New York Islanders glass is clearly cracked, there are at least a few positive takeaways through the first 39 games of the season.

Noah Dobson’s Exponential Growth

The New York Islanders have seen a vast improvement to Noah Dobson’s game this season. The 23-year old has scored six goals and recorded 11 assists in 37 games, and most importantly, has shown a new sense of confidence.

Although many do not want to credit Zdeno Chara for anything anymore, he’s been a difference-maker alongside Dobson.

Noah Dobson used to be a nervous wreck with the puck on his stick, either just throwing the puck away or holding onto the puck for way too long. In front of the net, he shied away from getting physical with opponents.

No, Dobson has not been perfect, and he still has work to do. But his game has grown exponentially here in year three.

On the offensive side of the puck, Dobson leads all defensemen in goals, assists, points, and shots. Not only that, but Dobson ranks sixth on the Islanders in goals, third in assists, fifth in points, and second in shots (97).

The player who averaged 1.5 shots per game in 2020-21 has averaged 2.50 this season.

Although Dobson is second on the Islanders with 40 giveaways, his nine takeaways are second-best amongst Islander defensemen, and he has blocked a team-leading 78 shots.

Dobson’s TOI has jumped from 16:24 in 2020-21 to 21:10 in 2021-22.

It’s helped that he has been a staple on the Islanders top power-play unit this season and has been on the ice for 10 of their 18 power-play goals. Dobson has one of those power-play goals and has six assists as well in a total of 98:42 minutes.

Last week I wrote about the New York Islanders stats at the halfway mark along with memorable moments from the first half of the season, and Noah Dobson’s overtime goal against the Edmonton Oilers on New Years Day was the most memorable.

 

With Ryan Pulock back in the mix after returning from his injury, Dobson’s minutes may fluctuate slightly. At the NHL level, it’s about consistency over an entire season, and although the Islanders have been anything but, Dobson’s play has been a standout.

It may have taken the 12th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft a few years to find his footing, but he’s undoubtedly found it and is now one of the more exciting Islanders to watch on a nightly basis.

Ilya Sorokin, Starter Material

It was never a question that 25-year old netminder Ilya Sorokin could be a starting netminder in the National Hockey League. It was more of when he would be ready. And despite having some moments this season where goals have entered the net that should not have, Sorokin has shown that he can handle the workload.

And it was apparent early on this season.

When training camp came and went, and veteran netminder Semyon Varlamov was still not ready due to a nagging injury, all New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz had was Ilya Sorokin. Cory Schneider had not shown signs that he could play at the NHL level again, so the start of the 13-game road trip was up to Ilya Sorokin.

Out of the gate, two losses where Sorokin allowed five goals was not a confidence booster by any means, but the skilled netminder took a breath, settled down, and got rolling.

Sorokin went 5-0-2 in his next seven games with a .963 SV%, a 1.01 GAA, and three shutouts. It was by far his most impressive stretch of the season. But Sorokin’s overall numbers have been strong even with the Islanders play in front of him.

On the season, Sorokin is 13-8-5 with a .924 SV% and a 2.31 GAA as he has set career-highs with four shutouts and 26 starts. And with one more win, he will set a new career-high in that category as well.

Out of 35 goalies that have played over 1,000 minutes so far this season (5 on 5), Sorokin ranks fifth in save percentage (.925), seventh in GAA (2.31), ninth in GSAA (11.43), seventh in high-danger SV% (.845) and 10th in HDGSAA (5.60).

As a goalie, if I may interject, you want to be in the net each game when you feel strongly about your game. And although that is not how it works in professional sports, I think Sorokin’s mental lapses at times, especially the few as of late, come from not playing every other day.

Although Varlamov has helped Sorokin’s game since he’s arrived from the KHL, I think it’s time for Sorokin to be given the full reigns, especially with how this season has gone on.

Adam Pelech Has Been a Star

The New York Islanders and their top defenseman Adam Pelech came to terms on an eight-year, $46 million contract this past offseason. The 27-year old has been one of the best defensemen in hockey and took a discount. While his strong play on the backend was expected, his defensive play was not overlooked by the NHL as he was elected to the All-Star game as the lone representative for the Islanders and did quite well this past weekend.

His All-Star season came without his usual defensive partner in Ryan Pulock, who just returned from an injury after missing over nine weeks. 

In 34 games played this season, Pelech has two goals, 10 assists, and is a +11. 

Pelech leads the Islanders in minutes played (21:22), takeaways (23), hits taken (59), and is third in blocks (56). 

The premier defender, not known for offense, has been on the ice for 62.1% of the Islanders goals this season, which ranks first amongst Islanders starters. Pelech trails his defensive partner Scott Mayfield by a mere second, for second on the team in penalty kill minutes per game (2:14).

Adam Pelech has done it all, and although the Islanders have struggled, his play has been stellar. 

 

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