Stan Fischler & Ray Ferraro talk, Spring 1993. @MSG Networks/SportsChannel Due to Christmas, the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/game-day/uthe-morning-after-stanta-islanders-hurricanes-not-santa-claus-brings-an-early-holiday-gift] and the rest of the NHL have a few days off before play resumes this upcoming Wednesday. If anyone deserved the Christmas break, it was Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/noah-dobson-new-york-islanders-assists-power-play-defense-romanov-lambert]. The 23-year-old has been the Islanders MVP this season, bringing the offense with 34 points (five goals, 29 assists) in 33 games while playing 25:46 minutes per game. Dobson's 29 assists on the season rank third in the NHL amongst defensemen, while his 25:46 minutes per game ranks second in the NHL. With Adam Pelech going down on Nov. 24, Ryan Pulock joining him on the shelf on Dec. 7, and Scott Mayfield following suit on Dec. 11, Islanders head coach Lane Lambert has relied heavily on his young blue liner. Since Pelech's injury, Dobson has averaged 27:19 minutes per game, a total of 409:46 over the last 15 games. The next closest on the Islanders is his defense partner, Alexander Romanov [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/players/alexander-romanov-new-york-islanders-hits-montreal-canadiens-lane-lambert], who has played 363:25. Power play time certainly affects the minutes discrepancy, but whichever way you slice the ham, Dobson has eaten minutes like a Christmas Eve buffet. Not only is Dobson's total time on ice the highest in the NHL over that span, but his 1.27 points per game over those 15 games ranks first in the NHL amongst defensemen. More time doesn't always mean more success, but it has for Dobson and the Islanders. Islanders All-Star Nominees The Islanders have boasted a record of 9-2-4 since Pelech went down, earning 22 of a possible 30 points, which is tied for the most points in the NHL. Dobson has earned points in 11 of those 15 games, with 19 assists. The NHL named Dobson the league's third Star for the Week ending Dec. 17, after an eight-assist performance through four games. According to Naturalstatrick.com [https://www.naturalstattrick.com/playerteams.php?fromseason=20232024&thruseason=20232024&stype=2&sit=all&score=all&stdoi=oi&rate=n&team=NYI&pos=S&loc=B&toi=0&gpfilt=gpteam&fd=&td=&tgp=15&lines=single&draftteam=ALL], Dobson has been on the ice for the most goals scored on the roster since Pelech went down, with the Islanders scoring 34 goals and allowing just 14. The fifth-year NHLer has taken tremendous strides, and his defensive growth has been critical to what the Islanders have been able to do in the absence of three starting defensemen. Before all the injuries, Dobson had a lot on his Christmas plate entering the 2023-24 season after what transpired in 2022-23. His defensive play was a clear weakness, as well as his confidence, which impacted his ability to be a force on the power play. But everything clicked for Dobson once this season began. "I just knew after last season that there was another level I needed to get to, and I knew it was there. I just had to go out and get there," Dobson told The Hockey News. And get there he has, as he's been a lifesaver for a banged-up Islanders team, playing the most significant role in the Islanders sitting in second place in the Metropolitan Division. Dobson and the Islanders return to action Wednesday night at 7:30 PM as they host the Pittsburgh Penguins at UBS Arena. You can watch Rosner talk Islanders hockey on Hockey Night in New York [https://www.youtube.com/@hockeynightny] with co-host Sean Cuthbert [https://twitter.com/seanyhockey] live Sunday nights at 8 PM ET during the season at twitch.tv/hockeynightny [https://www.twitch.tv/hockeynightny]. TOP STORIES
