INJURY NEWS: Islanders’ Top Star’s Return Date Unknown Following Injury
Just two days after triumphing over their in-state rivals, the New York Rangers, in the latest edition of the Battle of New York, albeit enduring some “vicious” hits along the way, the New York Islanders faced a significant setback.
During their matchup against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, April 11, the Islanders’ top defenseman, Noah Dobson, sustained an upper-body injury early in the first period, forcing him out of the game. Despite Dobson’s absence, the Islanders managed to secure a 3-2 overtime victory, with Kyle Palmieri clinching the win with a goal.
Not much going on here but they're saying Noah Dobson left the game after this play. pic.twitter.com/SVYpubDgD5
— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) April 11, 2024
With Dobson sidelined, the Islanders were left with only five available defensemen for the rest of the game, resulting in increased ice time for the remaining players against the Canadiens, who are currently struggling in the league standings. Islanders head coach Patrick Roy provided limited details about Dobson’s injury, stating it was an upper-body injury and indicating that further assessment would be made the following day.
Dobson’s potential extended absence could significantly impact the Islanders’ postseason aspirations, as he has been a standout defenseman for the team this season, excelling both defensively and in power-play situations as a key playmaker.
New York Islanders Won’t Go Far Without Noah Dobson
Dobson, a crucial part of the Islanders’ defensive lineup, saw limited action in the April 11 matchup against the Canadiens, managing just three shifts and a mere 1 minute and 28 seconds of ice time before exiting the game without returning.
Despite his shortened appearance, Dobson has been a significant contributor this season, ranking second on the team with 70 points, comprised of 10 goals and 60 assists. His average playing time of nearly 25 minutes per game underscores his importance to the team, especially during their late-season resurgence.
The extent of Dobson’s injury remained uncertain following the game, with no updates available as of April 12, just hours before several games were set to commence, none of which featured the Islanders. While it seemed that Dobson might have been injured in a collision with Canadiens players, the specifics surrounding the incident remain unclear.
Looking ahead, the Islanders are scheduled to play the Rangers for the second time in the same week on Saturday, April 13, at Madison Square Garden, with the game starting at 12:30 pm ET.
Islanders Struggled Without Noah Dobson On the Ice
The Islanders experienced the impact of Dobson’s absence during the game in which he got injured, even against a supposedly weaker opponent like the Montreal Canadiens. Dobson’s missing presence was especially noticeable during the Islanders’ power play, which failed to capitalize on four opportunities.
Coach Roy addressed his team’s struggles during these man-advantage situations after the overtime victory, acknowledging that losing Dobson early in the game had a negative effect, particularly since he’s a defenseman. With Dobson sidelined almost immediately on Thursday, the team heavily relied on the remaining defensemen, all five of whom saw significant ice time.
Among them, only Alexander Romanov played fewer minutes than 20:48, while Ryan Pulock led the defensemen with 24:47 on the ice. Adam Pelech commented on Dobson’s importance to the team post-game, highlighting the challenge of losing him early but praising the team’s collective effort in compensating for his absence.
Following their win against Montreal, the Islanders could secure a playoff spot for this season by defeating the Rangers in regulation or overtime, provided both Washington and Detroit lose their respective games in regulation or overtime as well.