BOSTON — In his NHL career, Noah Dobson never has missed an extended period of time with injury before this, but at least he had plenty of teammates to lean on for advice.
All six of the defensemen in the Islanders’ opening-night lineup have been out at one point or another this season, though Dobson’s return on Thursday night against the Bruins left Mike Reilly as the only defenseman still injured.
To facilitate Dobson’s activation off long-term injured reserve, Mathew Barzal was moved from injured reserve to LTIR.
“It’s a challenge mentally, physically,” Dobson said. “But I feel like having a two-week break in there [for the 4 Nations Face-Off] when the team’s not playing helped. At least you’re not missing games at that time. You’re able to focus on getting ready and healthy.
“Missed a little period of time [before] but not extended like this, [so] I think it’s just important to get your feet going early, keep it simple, try and get in the game. Definitely feel good with all these skates and practices that I’ve had.”
It might be too little, too late for the Islanders, who still were seven points out of a playoff spot after beating the Bruins, 2-1, on Thursday.
It is not too little, too late for Dobson to leave a good taste on what’s been a disappointing season in terms of production.
lineup in their win over the Bruins. NHLI via Getty Images
“Overall, felt pretty good,” Dobson told The Post after an up-and-down performance in which he saw 18:54 of ice and committed five giveaways while being on the ice for both Islander goals. “Still a little off, I feel like, timing and some touches. Overall, I thought it was a good first game and a big win.”
Dobson not only returned to a different pair but to an entirely different defense corps than he left some five weeks ago.
He lined up Thursday night alongside Adam Pelech, with Tony DeAngelo and Adam Boqvist — two players the Islanders added as a result of all their injuries — in the lineup. Scott Mayfield and Scott Perunovich were healthy scratches.
“I know what I need to do,” Mayfield said prior to sitting a second straight game. “The biggest thing for me, you can take it two ways. You can feel bad about yourself or you can take it the other way: Get to work, do whatever you can to stay ready and push yourself back in. That’s what I’m gonna do.
“I’m always ready. I know what it’s like when you get your chance. That’s all to focus on, what I can control.”
Hudson Fasching played his first game since Jan. 5, starting on the fourth line before moving up to the third with Casey Cizikas and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
Reilly (heart) traveled with the team to Boston.
