LAS VEGAS — Samuel Bolduc’s season might return to plan at some point soon, with Adam Pelech getting closer to a return each day.
After Pelech participated in a practice Friday, coach Lane Lambert called the defenseman day-to-day for the first time since he went on long-term injured reserve in late November and left the door open to his playing Saturday against the Golden Knights.
That would likely send the young Bolduc back to the press box, where the Islanders planned for him to spend much of the season watching and learning before a series of injuries threw the whole plan off course.
But no one can say Bolduc hasn’t made a lot out of the 28 games he’s played so far this season, growing from a player who looked shaky on NHL ice to one who can confidently use his stick to break up grade-A scoring chances, as he did Thursday in Arizona to stop Liam O’Brien on what looked like a clear breakaway.
against the Colorado Avalanche. Getty Images
“As he plays more, in fairness to him, your overall awareness and quickness increases. That was one of those situations,” coach Lane Lambert said after the Isles dispatched the Coyotes, 5-1. “Would he have made that play earlier in the season? I don’t know, but he made it tonight, so that’s all that matters.”
For what it’s worth, Bolduc thinks he “probably” would have made the same play at the start of the season. But he, too, can see the steps his game has taken, particularly in terms of confidence.
“I feel good,” the 23-year-old said. “Obviously, it’s not gonna be perfect every time. I mean, I want it to be perfect every time, but it’s not gonna happen. When it happens, mistakes or whatever, just need to put it aside and keep going. I can tell you a shift in the second period [on Thursday] that wasn’t as great for me, but I think I still finished the game strong and did some good plays.”
It became imperative for the Islanders, more quickly than they might have liked, for Bolduc to step up this season. And while it’s clear he still has some work to do, the progress has been notable.
“Had there been no injuries, I don’t think he would’ve played as much and I think he’s finding his game and finding his way in the National Hockey League,” Lambert said. “Somewhere along the way, there becomes a comment or a situation as a young player where opportunity knocks, and you have to take advantage of it.”
