Noah Dobson remains out of Islanders lineup due to COVID-19 protocols
Noah Dobson of the Islanders skates against the Bruins at Nassau Coliseum on Feb. 13. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Defenseman Noah Dobson remained on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list for a third straight day. But Jean-Gabriel Pageau returned after a one-game absence because of protocol precautions as the Islanders concluded a three-game road trip with a 3-1 loss to the Capitals on Tuesday night.
The good news for the Islanders was that no new players joined Dobson on the league’s protocol list. Both he and Pageau missed Sunday’s 3-2 four-round shootout win over the Devils at Prudential Center after being added to the league’s protocol list that day. It marked the first time this season the Islanders have had players miss a game because of COVID protocols.
Pageau, who logged 17:07 with two shots and won 9-of-13 faceoffs, was cleared on Monday.
Being on the NHL protocol list is not confirmation that a player has tested positive, as was the case with Josh Bailey’s one day stint on Jan. 20.
Sebastian Aho again replaced Dobson in the lineup and logged 16:27.
Sending a message
Barry Trotz did not like Mathew Barzal’s cross-check on defenseman Nick Jensen behind the Capitals’ crease that led to Alex Ovechkin’s power-play goal in the second period. Nor did Trotz like Barzal’s response on his next shift so the coach benched his top-line center until 8:14 of the third period.
"He can’t [take that penalty]," Trotz said. "He’s leading our team in penalties right now. That should be Matt Martin or Casey Cizikas or someone like that. I didn’t like the penalty and I didn’t like the shift after. The response has got to be dynamite. It was a turnover. It absolutely was a message."
Trotz on Ovechkin
Ovechkin hit two milestones on Tuesday.
Most notably, his power play goal was his 718th career goal, moving him past Phil Esposito and into sixth place on the NHL’s all-time list. Wayne Gretzky is first with 894 goals but Ovechkin could surpass Marcel Dionne (731) for fifth place.
Ovechkin had already notched his 1,300th career point as he assisted on T.J. Oshie’s second-period goal to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead.
"I wish I was not here," said Trotz, who spent four seasons coaching the Capitals and has repeatedly ranked Ovechkin as the greatest goal scorer in the NHL. "But I do recognize his greatness and the milestones. I cheer for him, no question, just not when he plays against us."
Golyshev on his way?
Anatoly Golyshev, 26, may finally join the Islanders organization after being a fourth-round pick in 2016.
The forward had his KHL contract terminated by Yekaterinburg Avtomobilist on Tuesday, clearing the way for his move to North America. The 5-7, 187-pound, left-shooting Golyshev spent eight seasons in the KHL and holds franchise records with 109 goals and 220 points in his 403 career games.
Isles files
Rookie Oliver Wahlstrom had a game-high five shots…The Islanders had been 16-2-4 since losing a two-game series in Washington on Jan. 26-28…The Capitals were still without Tom Wilson, serving a seven-game suspension for his head shot on the Bruins’ Brandon Carlo.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
