Islanders Beat Senators 3-2 COLUMBUS -- Scott Mayfield will miss his sixth game for the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/game-day/new-york-islanders-columbus-blue-jackets-nationwide-arena-road] on Saturday night after suffering an ankle injury in the season-opener. The Islanders inserted Samuel Bolduc [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/news/new-york-islanders-samuel-bolduc-two-year-extension-defenseman-rfa], the 23-year-old sophomore, in Mayfield's place. Bolduc played 17 games a season ago, making his debut following a Noah Dobson [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/players/noah-dobson-new-york-islanders-confidence-adam-pelech-ryan-pulock-alexander-romanov] injury. Immediately, the young blueliner was effective in all areas of the ice, but things changed once he was recalled for a second time. He was less assertive, and his two playoff games proved to be too much too early, as he skated with Alexander Romanov [https://www.google.com/search?q=alexander+romanov+misses+playoff+game+the+hockey+news&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS979US979&oq=alexander+romanov+misses+playoff+game+the+hockey+news&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTINCAEQLhiDARixAxiABDIHCAIQABiABDIKCAMQLhixAxiABDIKCAQQLhixAxiABDIKCAUQLhixAxiABDIKCAYQLhixAxiABDIKCAcQLhixAxiABDIKCAgQLhixAxiABNIBCDUxMTBqMGo0qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8] out due to an upper-body injury. Coming into training camp, Bolduc just wanted to find consistency in his game, and the only way that will happen is by getting reps. That assertiveness has been an issue at times so far this season, along with decision-making, but that's how he learns. Here's his minute breakdown, courtesy of Hockey Reference: Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxODE4MTA1MTA0NTczNzMw/screenshot-2023-10-28-at-15547-pm.png] As you can see, Bolduc played a season-low 5:26 TOI on Thursday night in a 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. If you're wondering how all the penalties impacted his time-on-ice, the answer is quite a bit, as he's played 0:02 seconds on the kill this season. It's hard to gauge how many more minutes we could have expected if more five-on-five was played Thursday, but probably not much more than he had been playing. If you are wondering why the Islanders don't just send Bolduc down to Bridgeport to get minutes and recall a veteran defenseman, like Grant Hutton, I have the answer. Bolduc is not waiver-exempt, so he would have to pass through waivers. That's likely a chance the Islanders do not want to take on their former second-rounder. Despite limited minutes, Bolduc's advanced analytics have been quite good, The lack of sample size inflates specific numbers, but you also get a look on how Lambert's using him in his 8:09 average minutes per game. Thanks to NaturalStatrick.com [https://www.naturalstattrick.com/playerteams.php?fromseason=20232024&thruseason=20232024&stype=2&sit=5v5&score=all&stdoi=oi&rate=n&team=NYI&pos=S&loc=B&toi=0&gpfilt=none&fd=&td=&tgp=410&lines=single&draftteam=ALL] for providing the information. IT'S SITUATIONAL One of Lambert's favorite sayings is "It's situational" when asked about certain player's minutes or lack thereof. More often than not, it is situational, but Lambert also isn't a coach who will throw any of his players under the bus. Despite playing the fifth-fewest minutes on the team at five-o-five, logging 39:52 minutes, he's had the second-most offensive zone starts amongst defensemen with 15, behind Aho's 17. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxODE5MTc5MTE0ODMzNTEz/islanders-26.jpg] Bolduc has three hits, three blocks, and one giveaway. Although that number is high, Bolduc has been on the ice for 22 offensive-zone draws, the seconds-fewest amongst defenseman. So, what that tells us is that if there's a face-off following offensive zone time, the projected offensive defenseman isn't on the ice. Let's take a look at the offensive numbers for the Islanders when Bolduc is on the ice. Offensive Zone Numbers Individually, Bolduc hasn't made much of an impact in the goals department, with no points through five games. Lambert wanted to see Bolduc shoot the puck more, but he's only had four shots hit the net on 11 attempts (three blocked, three misses). Given Bolduc's team-leading 55.26 Corsi For percentage and team-leading 88 percent of draws coming in the offensive zone, it seems like the Islanders have had success...despite not being on the ice for an Islander goal (one goal against). When No. 4 is on the ice, the Islanders have outshot their opponent 26-17 but have been outscored 1-0. That goal came after Bolduc's pass was intercepted, leading to a fast-break goal to put the Islanders down 3-0 last Saturday night. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlwF8sHX93Q[/embed] A rookie mistake by a rookie...it's going to happen. The more he plays, the more the Islanders hope he takes strides and becomes more trustworthy, as that will be the only way he earns more minutes in Mayfield's absence. INTERVIEW The Hockey News sat down with Bolduc this past Tuesday to get his thoughts on his start to the season. "It's still early in the season," Bolduc said when asked about his comfort level. "A couple of things here and there that you always want to do differently. "But it's still early, and I still have some experiences to take." Bolduc, like any other player, is just focused on being consistent. "It's always been a little bit [about] consistency for me," Bolduc said. "I think, since I've turned pro, I've been doing a way better job at that. "I just need to be a little bit more...just a little bit more faster and close a bit quicker, and everything will be fine." His defense partner, Aho, dealt with the same consistency issue. While Bolduc can lean on the Swede for support, he says the advice comes from everywhere in the room. Lambert said before Bolduc made his season debut that he wanted him to be more assertive. Here's what Bolduc thought of his assertiveness thus far. "A little bit more, I think. There still may be a little notch [better]. I'll get there. I'm positive about it."
