Islanders Coach Defends Ben Hutton Lineup Shift Against Scott Mayfield
Pete DeBoer cites fatigue and depth concerns after the team lost 5-4 to New Jersey.
By Adrian Kovalenko ·
The New York Islanders lost 5-4 in overtime to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, a result that exposed gaps in their defensive depth. The most conspicuous absence from the lineup was Scott Mayfield, a healthy scratch who did not take the ice.
Ben Hutton took the spot on the left side of Matt Kessel. Hutton had been signed off his personal time off on Thursday, making his inclusion in the game plan predictable. The surprise centered on Mayfield's exclusion, particularly given his recent performance metrics.
Mayfield has led the team in ice time at 4-on-5 in each of the first three games since Ryan Pulock suffered an upper-body injury. During that stretch, the Islanders penalty kill stopped 10 of 11 opponents. Saturday marked the fourth such opportunity for the unit in the loss.
Coach Pete DeBoer defended the roster decision before the game, noting that Mayfield is a key component of the special teams unit. "He's a part of [the penalty kill]," DeBoer said. "When you make those decisions, guys come out and we're well aware of some of the strengths of the guys coming out. Also some of the strengths of guys going in. I think if we take five or six penalties tonight we're in trouble anyway. We gotta stay out of the box."
The Islanders used only three defensemen on the penalty kill during the defeat. Forwards Logan Stanley and Adam Pelech were relied upon heavily at 4-on-5, and both players took their own penalties. DeBoer acknowledged the physical toll on the unit afterward, stating, "All penalty killers get fatigued," when facing that volume of shots.
The lineup change occurred amid persistent trade rumors about Mayfield, which both the defenseman and general manager Mathieu Darche have previously dismissed. The Islanders currently sit one player under the roster limit. They face a potential crunch if they activate Mathew Barzal, Matias Maccelli, and Calum Ritchie.
Barzal and Maccelli participated fully in Saturday's optional morning skate. DeBoer said he needed to consult with medical staff before deciding if either would travel with the team to San Jose on Sunday. Moving Pulock to injured reserve could provide the necessary roster space without waiving another player.
