Islanders' Adam Pelech's health making 'big difference' in best season yet.
As Patrick Roy joked, it's good fortune that has allowed Adam Pelech to stay healthy throughout the season. With 48 games under his belt, Pelech has avoided injury, a feat he last achieved in the 2021-22 campaign - also the only time in his career where he was voted to the All-Star Game.
Pelech has been quietly putting together what could be his best season since being fully healthy. "It makes a big difference," he said, highlighting the importance of staying injury-free. Missing time due to injury can be tough, especially when teammates are improving every day while you're rehabbing.
On the ice, Pelech has excelled defensively, boasting a 52.79 expected goals percentage that tops his fellow Islanders defensemen. He's also been solid on the penalty kill, an area where he's made significant contributions this season.
Pelech credits his team's coaching for their success. "We're coached extremely well... 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."
In a notable twist, Pelech and Ryan Pulock are both having renaissance seasons despite being paired with different defensemen. Pelech has been partnered with Tony DeAngelo since November, while Pulock has been paired with Matthew Schaefer.
When asked about his partnership with DeAngelo, Pelech praised the American defenseman's intelligence on the ice. "Me and Tony have been getting better and better... He makes the game easy for his D-partner."
As Patrick Roy joked, it's good fortune that has allowed Adam Pelech to stay healthy throughout the season. With 48 games under his belt, Pelech has avoided injury, a feat he last achieved in the 2021-22 campaign - also the only time in his career where he was voted to the All-Star Game.
Pelech has been quietly putting together what could be his best season since being fully healthy. "It makes a big difference," he said, highlighting the importance of staying injury-free. Missing time due to injury can be tough, especially when teammates are improving every day while you're rehabbing.
On the ice, Pelech has excelled defensively, boasting a 52.79 expected goals percentage that tops his fellow Islanders defensemen. He's also been solid on the penalty kill, an area where he's made significant contributions this season.
Pelech credits his team's coaching for their success. "We're coached extremely well... 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."
In a notable twist, Pelech and Ryan Pulock are both having renaissance seasons despite being paired with different defensemen. Pelech has been partnered with Tony DeAngelo since November, while Pulock has been paired with Matthew Schaefer.
When asked about his partnership with DeAngelo, Pelech praised the American defenseman's intelligence on the ice. "Me and Tony have been getting better and better... He makes the game easy for his D-partner."
Adam Pelech avoiding injuries is kinda a big deal considering how it can make or break a season 
Plus, he's having an alright time playing with Tony DeAngelo 
Not sure what's gonna happen when he comes back from his next one-week stretch 
i mean who needs excitement when you can have a solid D-man like him crushing it on the ice? 52.79 expected goals percentage? that's some top-notch stuff right there 
and kudos to Tony DeAngelo for not completely ruining Pelech's game with their partnership 
plus, it's great to see Pulock having a renaissance season too... maybe he'll finally make the All-Star Game this year 
can't believe pelech is finally staying healthy this season 
! 48 games in without an injury is crazy impressive, especially considering how much he's contributed to the team. That expected goals percentage of 52.79? 
solidifies him as one of the top D-men on the Isles. He deserves all the credit for his defense and penalty kill skills too 
. But what's even more interesting is how well pelech has adapted to playing with DeAngelo - it just goes to show that chemistry on D isn't just about physicality but also hockey IQ 
anyway pelech is killing it on defense with that 52.79 expected goals percentage 
and his partnership with DeAngelo is a total game changer 
It's making all the difference, right? 
But now, he's like a new man on the ice! 
That's like, record-breaking stuff! And his penalty kill skills are top-notch, for sure. 