from Arthur Staple of The Athletic,
The Connor McDavid assignment when the Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders meet has fallen to Adam Pelech, McDavid’s old OHL teammate, the last few years. Pelech has burnished a reputation as one of the better shutdown defensemen in the NHL and the McDavid challenge is the biggest on the calendar.
But Pelech is out. So is Ryan Pulock, traditionally Pelech’s top-pair partner. Ditto Scott Mayfield, who has been one of the better defensive-zone Islanders.
That left Noah Dobson to face the McDavid train. Without fanfare — and honestly, is there any other way an Islander does something deserving of league-wide notice — Dobson had put together a first 30 games that have been as good as the two defensemen most often discussed as Norris Trophy candidates, the Canucks’ Quinn Hughes and the Avalanche’s Cale Makar.
Dobson came into Tuesday’s visit from the Oilers third in the league among defensemen in assists (27) and points (32) and fourth in plus-minus (plus-17) — that last stat is as flawed as they come, but in this case represents how Dobson, who leads all NHL defensemen with 21:30 of even-strength time on ice per game, is controlling play when on the ice.
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Dobson, Bouchard and Hughes were all available in 2018 when Holland used the #6 pick to take Zadina. Now that's depressing.
Guys/Gals - I had a last min invite to the game last night - in seats in between the defensive face off dot and red line about 15 rows from the ice. Can't turn down the oppo to see McDavid and Leon.
Dobson was stellar. One thing about being at the game is that you can really see the speed and nuances of the game. The passes he was making to his teammates come at different speeds and I never pick that up on tv. Last year - the pairing of Dobson and Romanov was a train wreck. They traded for Romy to pair him with Dobson so that Pelech and Pulock could play together. This year - they have been a godsend. Norris Trophy Candidate ??? Let's get some more runway here - but this guy is a very capable player...Quinn Hughes and Makar don't have to worry yet.
With the injuries to Pelech, Pulock and Mayfield, he is playing close to 30 minutes per game. Unlike the recent years - he seems much more poised and lets the game come to him a bit more. I think his pairing with Zdeno Chara the year he returned to the Island really helped Dobson along with Andy Greene tutoring him as well.
Now the Oilers are so special when Leon and McDavid are playing on the same line. Leon scored on the first shot of the game and then no more for the Oil. But not for lack of trying - I enjoyed the game - I enjoy watching the visiting teams and seeing what makes them tick.
Bouchard sure looks good too! Hronek is having a good year in VCR - I assume he is playing with Quinn Hughes?
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