SUMMERLIN, Nev. — The player who currently leads the Islanders in plus-minus may be the least talked about regular on the team.
Some of that is due to role, and some of that is due to injuries and underperformance of many of the Islanders' star players.
But no one can deny that Scott Mayfield has been quietly in the midst of a strong recovery since an injury derailed his season a year ago.
“Really, I think last year was a tough year for me,” Mayfield told the Post after the Islanders practiced Wednesday at City National Arena outside Las Vegas. “This is the only thing I wore. I had a good summer of rehab, getting into playing shape and stuff. … I'm proud of the work I put in.”
In the past, Mayfield's offseason work has often focused on strength training, although it has varied somewhat from year to year.
Last summer, I focused on exercise, in part due to rehabilitation from ankle surgery.
“And I feel like I'm skating well, I feel like I'm moving well,” Mayfield said. “Last year was last year. It was tough, but my body feels good.”
It's worth noting that, at least at 5-on-5 (yes, the penalty kill is a different story), Mayfield is not only bouncing back from last season, but is on pace to have arguably the best year of his career in terms of numbers. Masu. .
His 53.3 expected goals-on-ice percentage is his highest since the 2018-19 season, and his 58.06 expected goals-against-ice percentage is the best of his career, according to Natural Stat Trick.
When it comes to scoring, Mayfield hasn't put up big numbers, and his two goals and five assists so far aren't that great.
Defensively, however, the Islanders are shutting down chances at the best pace of his career with No. 24 on the ice.
Part of the reason for that is no doubt due to Mayfield playing third pair for most of the season and therefore taking more of the easier matchups.
But it's the man who plays the role asked of him, and his adaptability has proven critical in playing with five different partners and even bringing in Isiah George and Dennis Cholowski. has been done.
“Scottie plays his best hockey when he plays simple,” coach Patrick Roy said. “When he keeps things simple and moves the puck fast, he's playing solid hockey. If he tries to overhandle the puck, this is the moment where it gets a little difficult for him.
“He's done a great job with Cholo, he's done a great job with George. He's a great veteran, a guy who can help the younger players, and I feel like he's played his role really well. .”
But one of the issues at the heart of the Islanders right now is that no one on either special teams (and I mean pretty much anyone), given that the Islanders are currently 32nd in both power play and power play. It just means we don't feel like our season is great. Penalty kill.
That's true of Mayfield, who is just behind Ryan Purock in penalty kill minutes, but just like any other player.
After defeating the Bruins on Sunday night, there is a recognition that the Isles, who play the Golden Knights on Thursday, need to put together a winning streak and that special teams will need to add to that.
“I really like the way we practice,” Roy said sadly. “We feel very connected. When we watch P.K. [and] You said we feel like we're not connected, there's a hole, but there's no hole in what we're doing. We are tight. When we need to apply pressure, we feel we are working together. I don't guarantee anything, but I like what we've done so far. ”
