The full-face shield that he’s had to wear in recent weeks has been a bit cumbersome, but the rest of Ryan Pulock’s game has been growing more and more comfortable.
The Islanders defenseman isn’t alone.
Pulock and fellow rookie Sebastian Aho have taken advantage of increased opportunity, partly created by injuries on the blue line, heading into Monday’s clash against the Predators at Barclays Center.
“I love it because I can hear bloggers talking about how I use excuses with injuries — everybody has them,” coach Doug Weight said after Saturday’s 4-3 win. “But look at our ‘D.’ Right now you got [Pulock] and [Scott Mayfield] and [Adam Pelech] and Aho, guys that are going to be better players for our franchise and our organization to come because of this opportunity. But it’s been six weeks of opportunity, and they’re all playing 24, 23 [minutes]. It’s a tough league, and we’re putting a lot on them.”
Weight pointed to the losses of Calvin de Haan, who has been out indefinitely since Dec. 16 with a shoulder injury, Johnny Boychuk, who also has been out since December and missed his 17th straight game Monday with a lower-body injury, and Travis Hamonic, the steady defenseman the Isles shipped away in the offseason for draft picks.
The 25-year-old Mayfield and 23-year-old Pelech entered the year with some more extended NHL experience — albeit limited — compared to Pulock and Aho.
Pulock, 23, had played just 16 games with the Islanders before this season and was a healthy scratch in the first six games of the year and eight of the first 10. But with more consistent playing time lately, he has come on strong.
On Saturday, Pulock’s blast from the point set up the Islanders’ late game-winning goal, one of two assists he had on the night.
“I’m trying to play well defensively and at the same time produce some offense because throughout my career, that’s kind of the type of player I’ve been,” Pulock said. “I think the big thing is I feel good out there, feel comfortable, feel comfortable carrying the puck. I think that’s the biggest area that’s improved over this last little while that’s helped me raise my game.”
After starting the year with one goal and three assists in his first 19 games, Pulock entered Monday with three goals and 10 assists in his past 20.
“His assertiveness shooting the puck lately has been excellent,” Weight said. “He’s dangerous. I love to see it.”
Aho, meanwhile, was recalled from the AHL on Dec. 28 — the same day Boychuk went on injured reserve — and Weight thought he would be up for two or three games to get them through a pinch. More than a month later, the 21-year-old is still here.
“I enjoy every day I’m up here,” Aho said. “It was pretty hectic in the beginning. I didn’t know if I was going to be up for one day, two days. It’s a fun thing to be up, of course. It’s starting to grow on me.”
After being a healthy scratch Wednesday and Saturday to catch his breath, Aho returned to the lineup Monday with Weight expecting to get a boost on the back end.
“He’s just a real mature kid,” Weight said. “Savvy on the ice, always in good position. I think he’s just got a really big heart and battles. He doesn’t shy away from getting his nose in there for a little guy.”
Also contributors on the power play, Pulock and Aho have been up for the challenge. And with their lockers next to each other, they’re served a daily reminder they don’t have to go at it alone.
“We kind of came into similar situations,” Pulock said. “Hopefully we can continue to improve and help this team.”