Islanders Practice Notebook: Pulock Sheds Non-Contact Jersey; Lines

The New York Islanders continued their slow build-up of practices with their third straight day on the ice today. After over a week off for the 4 Nations Face-Off, the playoff chase and all the drama that comes with it is kicking in.

The team looked very energized today and seemed to be in high spirits. Throughout practice, constant chattering and celebrating occurred during battle drills. It’s a team that knows they’re currently chasing down a playoff spot but one that can feel an opportunity growing. None of the teams ahead of them are world-beaters. They’re just four points out of a spot while holding games in hand on multiple teams.

Out of the gate, they’ll play six games in 10 days. Head coach Patrick Roy urges, as always, a singular focus on Sunday’s game against the Dallas Stars. He wants his team to control what they can control and not do too much.

Mayfield and Pulock Returning:

For a second straight day, his lines look like a coach preparing to have Scott Mayfield and Ryan Pulock in the lineup on Sunday afternoon. Pulock hasn’t played since January 25 against the Carolina Hurricanes and has missed seven games. Mayfield hasn’t played since February 1 and has missed four games.

Pulock has been wearing an orange non-contact jersey the last two sessions but shed it today and took part in every drill. To this eye, I’d expect the Islanders to activate Pulock ahead of Sunday. To do so, the team is expected to place Dennis Cholowski on waivers and hope to pass him through.

Roy smiled as he spoke of the new additions—Adam Boqvist, Scott Perunovich, and Anthony DeAngelo—and noted that they’ve made his lineup decisions hard. Now, they make roster decisions hard. Noah Dobson skated ahead of yesterday’s practice but was not seen today.

The feeling is that Dobson will likely return next weekend, but it will be touch-and-go with a lower-body injury. When he returns, the team has to decide between keeping eight defensemen or waiving two of Hudson Fasching, Matt Martin, and Pierre Engvall. Conversely, the team could send Marc Gatcomb down at any time, but his lineup spot seems secure with how he’s played.

Full Lines:

Anders Lee – Bo Horvat – Anthony Duclair

Maxim Tsyplakov – (Brock Nelson Absent) – Kyle Palmieri

Casey Cizikas – Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Simon Holmstrom

Pierre Engvall – Kyle MacLean – Marc Gatcomb

Alexander Romanov – Anthony DeAngelo

Scott Perunovich – Ryan Pulock

Adam Pelech – Scott Mayfield

Extras: Matt Martin, Hudson Fasching, Dennis Cholowski, Adam Boqvist

It’s worth noting agains that Perunovich and Pulock remain paired. That’s a very mobile pair with offensive upside, and one that could become a weapon. Pelech and Mayfield remained together as a total shutdown pair, a nightmare matchup. Of course, Alexander Romanov and DeAngelo remain united as the top pair with how they’ve excelled together.

The forward lines themselves remain virtually untouched. It’s what’s been working, so why mess with it? On Saturday, there will be a clearer image of whether or not Nelson can play. Until then, it’s assumed he’s good to go.