TAMPA — The place to start out with Noah Dobson’s final 4 video games, over which his plus-minus has been a surprising minus-7, is with a degree head.
Everybody is aware of that plus-minus is a flawed metric, and everybody is aware of that 4 video games is a minuscule pattern.
Per Evolving Hockey, the Islanders have a collective save share of .743 with Dobson on the ice during the last week.
Various that may be chalked as much as poor luck and randomness.
However that doesn’t imply there’s nothing for Dobson to mine at from these video games.
“Look back at one of the games. One goes off my shin pad. The other, maybe I could have a better gap,” Dobson informed The Publish after the Islanders practiced Friday. “Little things like that. One’s an empty net here or there, you know what I mean. I try not to put too much stock [in] whether it’s happening or not. Just try to find ways to be better at my game, get ready for the next one.”
Hole management was introduced up by Patrick Roy after the loss to Columbus on Tuesday, which Dobson was referring to as nicely.
Each instances, Dobson was on the ice for a objective, he was between the goal-scorer and the online however didn’t shut down, and the puck went off him — Adam Fantilli’s objective hitting his stick and Boone Jenner’s going off his ankle.
“There’s times I can close my gaps a little bit, which will probably deter a couple shots coming in,” Dobson mentioned. “Not putting yourself in a situation where it can go off you and try to close it before it can get in the zone. Definitely something I can look at and trying to keep improving and be better at.”
Jean-Gabriel Pageau was carrying a full bubble helmet in Friday’s apply after breaking his nostril two nights prior towards the Blue Jackets.
Pageau informed The Publish he’s uncertain how lengthy he’ll want the bubble, however expects it to be at the least a pair weeks.
“It’s a bit uncomfortable, but it’s fine,” he mentioned. “Hard to see pucks when they’re close to your feet. Little different. You get used to the visor, you see everything. Definitely more protective for my nose right now.”
Adam Boqvist will come again into the lineup on Saturday, with Mike Reilly being made a wholesome scratch.
Coach Patrick Roy mentioned the choice was solely associated to Boqvist’s capacity to play on the ability play.
Ilya Sorokin will begin towards the Lightning on Saturday with Marcus Hogberg in line for the beginning on Sunday in Carolina, Roy mentioned.
