VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Half-accusingly and half-jokingly, Patrick Roy said to go find some wood to knock on. Good health this late into a season is always a risky topic to bring up, after all.
Particularly so for Adam Pelech, who last got through a season without missing serious time in 2021-22. Not coincidentally, that year was also the only time in his career Pelech was voted to the All-Star Game.
Forty-eight games in, though, with Game 49 on Monday against the Canucks, Pelech has avoided injury. Not coincidentally, he’s quietly putting together what’s on pace to be his best season since he was last fully healthy.
“It makes a big difference,” Pelech told The Post after the Islanders practiced at Rogers Arena on Sunday. “It’s tough missing time, right? You’re on the shelf, rehabbing, whatever. Meanwhile, everyone else, all your teammates, are getting better every day. It’s tough missing time to injury.
“Unfortunately, I’ve had some bad luck the past few seasons. Knock on wood, I’ve been healthy this season. It makes a big difference.”
Pelech has never put up many points, and this season is no exception. He has just seven. Defensively, though, he’s been as good as ever.
His 52.79 expected goals percentage leads Islanders defensemen, and he’s second only to Ryan Pulock in on-ice goals against per 60 minutes, according to Evolving Hockey.
He’s also been central to the penalty kill’s transformation into a top 10 unit after years of languishing near the bottom of the league.
“We’re coached extremely well, for sure,” Pelech said of the PK. “Good plan every night. The coaches put a lot of work in to make sure we have the best opportunity to succeed and then just getting the reps in, sticking to the system and getting great goaltending.”
It’s a little ironic that Pelech and Pulock are both having renaissance seasons when they’ve barely been partnered with each other. The two formed a stalwart top pair for the Islanders during the club’s deep playoff runs under Barry Trotz, and know each other’s games inside and out.
Pulock, though, has been cemented as Matthew Schaefer’s partner since November, as has Pelech with Tony DeAngelo. That seems to work well for all four of the players, as it creates two pairs with a primary offensive defenseman (Schaefer and DeAngelo) and one who’s comfortable sitting back in the play (Pelech and Pulock).
“Me and Tony have been getting better and better, developing chemistry together,” Pelech said. “What I love about playing with him, really smart player. Makes the game easy for his D-partner. I think we’ve been going well. And then [I’ve been] doing things that have always made me successful. Defensively, being a guy who’s dependable and the penalty kill’s been great too.”
Throughout their current road trip, of which Monday marks the sixth game, the Islanders have leaned heavily on their defense, spending significant time in their own zone as they struggle to sustain possession and offensive zone time with star center Bo Horvat injured. For the most part, they’ve survived by doing that, though Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Flames was their worst game of the trip.
“I’d say that our D corps, the three of them: Pully and Schaef and Pelly’s been playing really well for us,” Roy said. “Tony D’s been a good addition with Pelly. I understand Pelly’s playing the big role and helps Tony D to be more free in the offense a bit.
“… I feel like whoever plays with Pelly will have success because of the way he handles it and the way he comes to play. He’s a real pro. He’s fun to have around us and we’re very blessed to have him on our team.”
