Samuel Bolduc gets another chance with Islanders and scores first NHL goal
Samuel Bolduc of the Islanders skates during the first period against the Red Wings at UBS Arena on Jan. 27. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Samuel Bolduc displayed his defensive skills and physicality almost immediately for the Islanders. And now he is on an NHL scoresheet.
The 6-4, 220-pound Bolduc, selected 57th overall in 2019, scored his first career goal in his fifth NHL game as the Islanders topped the Kraken, 4-0, on Tuesday night at UBS Arena. Bolduc was inserted with Alexander Romanov unavailable for personal reasons.
“It feels amazing,” said Bolduc, who sent a shot from the left through Kyle Palmieri’s screen at 7:59 of the first period for a 1-0 lead. “It’s something, for sure, I’ll never forget. Especially at home with all the fans behind you.”
No goals have been scored against the Islanders with Bolduc on the ice. He was selected as an AHL All-Star with eight goals and 18 assists in 41 games for Bridgeport.
Bolduc was a healthy scratch for Monday night’s 2-1 win in Philadelphia.
Romanov’s wife, Sofia, recently gave birth to the couple’s first child. Coach Lane Lambert said he did not anticipate Romanov having an extended absence.
He broke his jaw, lost a tooth and suffered additional bone damage above two of his upper teeth when he was hit with a puck on Jan. 28 against visiting Vegas. He donned a full face shield against the Flyers that he must wear for six weeks.
Isles files
RW Oliver Wahlstrom (injured reserve/lower body) was at UBS Arena on crutches and wearing a knee brace. He is out indefinitely but Lambert said he was not sure if that would be for the rest of the season…C Brock Nelson set a career high with his 29th assist, extending his point streak to a career-high eight games, the longest for any Islander this season…D Scott Mayfield’s first-period assist was his 100th career point…Cs Bo Horvat and Jean-Gabriel Pageau combined to win 19 of 28 faceoffs.
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.
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