For the first time since Game Two of their first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes, defenseman Samuel Bolduc slots back into the New York Islanders lineup.
East Meadow, NY -- For the first time since Game Two of their first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes, defenseman Samuel Bolduc slots back into the New York Islanders lineup Tuesday night against the Arizona Coyotes.
On June 20, the Islanders inked Bolduc to a two-year deal worth $1.6 million.
His first stint up with the big club, in the absence of Noah Dobson, showed that the former second-round pick could be a long-term option on the Islanders blue line.
The Quebec native was hard on the puck in corners, used his body well to box out opponents in front of goal, and had the vision and hockey IQ to help their transition game.
But in his second stint, it seemed his confidence took a hit, and he became rather hesitant, leading to underwhelming showings.
Due to a shoulder injury to Alex Romanov late in the regular season, Bolduc was forced into playoff action, looking incredibly overwhelmed in his two games before Romanov's return.
With defenseman Scott Mayfield out with a lower-body injury following a shot block in Saturday's season opener, Bolduc gets a chance to show his worth yet again, as he will skate alongside Sebastian Aho on the Islanders' third pairing.
The Hockey News asked head coach Lane Lambert what he wants to see from Bolduc.
"He's got to play assertive. Let's put it that way," Lambert said. "He knows that. He's going to move the puck. He's a good puck mover. But we need him to be assertive, defend well, and be hard around our net."
When asked if the lack of assertiveness was something that plagued Bolduc in the second half of last season, Lambert left that in the past.
"Well, that was last year. We'll move on to this year and go from there, but that's what we're looking for."
THN caught up with Bolduc to get his thoughts on getting back into the lineup and what he hopes to bring to the table in his first game of the season.
"I mean, just playing hard, playing fast, and I'm capable of doing that," Bolduc said. "I'm going to use my shot a lot, so I'm prepared to do that."
Not playing is challenging for every player, and Bolduc knows he can't try to do too much on Tuesday.
"I think the biggest thing for me is just not thinking too much," Bolduc said.
"Sometimes I just think too much, and it slows me down, and I'm just gonna have to go a little bit freer in my head, and I'll be fine."
Bolduc watched the Islanders opener from above, an angle that does allow you to see more in terms of structure.
"It's a lot different because you see things that you don't really see on the ice when you're on it," Bolduc said. "It helps a lot. And if I don't play [in the future], I just gotta keep doing that [watching and learning], and I think it's gonna help me a lot."