Islanders Monday Practice Updates EAST MEADOW, NY -- New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/mike-reilly-new-york-islanders-fasching-pageau-lambert-panthers-waivers] young defenseman Samuel Bolduc [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/news/new-york-islanders-samuel-bolduc-two-year-extension-defenseman-rfa] just played in his 28th career NHL game on Saturday night in a 1-0 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. While a lack of experience excuses a certain number of mistakes, the 23-year-old hasn't been a reliable option for second-year head coach Lane Lambert this season. Bolduc made his NHL debut just last year, and in his first stint with New York, he showed poise, a strong hockey IQ, and an ability to help the transition game made him a player that could really help this team. But in his second stint, which bled into the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs with Alexander Romanov missing the first two games against the Carolina Hurricanes, the rookie's performance was rather lackluster. He seemed flustered in must-win games, with New York having to grind to make the playoffs. The bright lights of playoff hockey seemed overwhelming as well. Bolduc's struggles were understandable, being put in critical situations despite NHL experience, on a team that relies heavily on their defensive structure. The Islanders showed some faith that Bolduc could find his first-stint game with more NHL action, inking him to a two-year deal on June 20. But after an offseason to reflect and train, Bolduc hasn't found the game he first showcased to the Islanders brass. Sebastian Aho clearly won was the starting job out of training camp, limiting Bolduc's playing time through the first quarter of the season as he served as the seventh defenseman. When given the opportunities, Bolduc looked nervous with the puck on his stick, and a lack of "bearing down" proved costly, which forced Islanders head coach Lane Lambert to limit his minutes more often than not. With Adam Pelech [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/game-day/new-york-islanders-adam-pelech-matt-martin] (LTIR) and Sebastian Aho [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/sebastian-aho-new-york-islanders-ir-grant-hutton] (IR) out against the Flyers Saturday night, Bolduc got into his first game since Nov. 11. Due to the injuries, the Islanders recalled right-side defenseman Grant Hutton [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/sebastian-aho-new-york-islanders-ir-grant-hutton] and claimed left-shot defenseman Mike Reilly [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/game-day/new-york-islanders-mike-reilly-adam-pelech-sebastian-aho] off waivers. Saturday night was a huge opportunity for Bolduc to make a statement that he could handle an everyday role with key blue liners out. The Quebec native failed to make the most of his chance. His slow start to the game and his mistakes were consistent with what the Islanders had seen from him all season. Given the Islanders' mediocre start to the season and their slight turnaround as of late (3-0-3 in the last six), the Islanders need their players ready to go come the opening puck drop. "I thought he started the game slow the other night, and we can't have that," Lambert said. "I thought he got better as the game went on. I thought his physicality [was good], and that was a good step for him. "Hopefully, that pushes him along and pushes him forward, but there's just a consistency that we need to see game in and game out regardless of whether he's been sitting out or not. Once you get your opportunity, you have to be ready to go." The Hockey News asked Lambert what issues he saw in Bolduc's game in his 7:56 minutes on Saturday. "I think it was a little bit of everything. There was a couple of turnovers. He got tracked early," Lambert said. "But he wasn't the only guy either. Let's be clear about that. "But certainly, when you get your opportunity, you got to make the most of it." Bolduc did rotate in during line rushes at Monday's practice. But when New York worked more with line combinations and defense partners, Reilly and Hutton were a duo, hinting that Bolduc would be an extra against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night. Bolduc likely isn't heading on waivers anytime soon to head back to Bridgeport with Pelech and Aho sidelined. But as they say, it gets late fast, and Bolduc needs to start proving that he can be a reliable option for Lambert, or his slim opportunities will become even slimmer. You can listen to Stefen Rosner talk Islanders hockey on Hockey Night in New York [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYN7JIgdHnM&t=956s] with co-host Sean Cuthbert [https://twitter.com/seanyhockey] on Sunday nights at 8 PM ET during the season.
