SUMMERLIN, Nev. — The player who is currently leading the Islanders in plus-minus might be the least talked about regular on the team.
Some of that is down to role and some is down to a number of the Islanders stars having been hurt and/or underperforming.
But nobody can deny that Scott Mayfield, ever so quietly, is in the midst of a strong bounce-back campaign following an injury-derailed season a year ago.
“Really, I think last year was a tough year for me,” Mayfield told The Post after the Islanders practiced at City National Arena outside Las Vegas on Wednesday. “That’s all I put on that. I had a big summer, like what I did for my rehab. Was able to get into playing shape and all that. … I’m proud of the work I put in.”
In the past, Mayfield’s offseason work often focused on strength training, though there was some variance depending on the year.
Last summer, in part due to rehabbing ankle surgery, was more about movement work.
“And I feel like I’m skating well, feel like I’m moving well,” Mayfield said. “Last year was last year. It was tough, but I feel like my body’s in a good place.”
It’s worth noting that, at least at five-on-five (yes, the penalty kill is a different story), Mayfield is on pace not just to rebound from last season but to have arguably the best year of his career in terms of numbers.
His 53.3 on-ice expected goals percentage is his best since 2018-19, per Natural Stat Trick, and his 58.06 on-ice goals for percentage is the best of his career, period.
Points-wise, Mayfield has never put up big numbers, and his two goals and five assists so far aren’t much.
Defensively, though, the Islanders are suppressing chances with No. 24 on the ice at one of the better rates of his career.
Some of that, no doubt, is due to Mayfield playing on the third pair for most of the season, and thus taking a lot of easier matchups.
But you play the role you’re asked, and his adaptability has also proven vital in playing with five different partners and bringing Isaiah George and Dennis Cholowski along.
“Scotty plays his best hockey when he plays simple,” coach Patrick Roy said. “When he keeps things simple, moves the puck fast, he’s playing some solid hockey. When he tries to overhandle the puck, this is where the moment’s getting a little more difficult for him.
“He’s been doing a good job with Cholo, he did a great job with George. He’s a great vet, he’s a guy that could help the younger guys, and I feel like he’s playing his role really well.”
One of the issues at the heart of the Islanders right now, though, is that nobody on either special teams — which is to say, almost nobody, period — can feel great about their season given the Isles are currently 32nd in both power play and penalty kill.
That goes for Mayfield, who is only behind Ryan Pulock in penalty-kill minutes, as much as anybody.
There is awareness that the Isles, who play the Golden Knights on Thursday after beating the Bruins on Sunday night, need to put together a streak — and that special teams will need to be a part of it.
“I do like the way we’ve been practicing,” Roy sad. “I feel like we’re very connected. When you watch a PK [and] you say I feel like we’re not connected, there’s holes — but there’s no holes in what we’re doing. We’re tight. I feel like when we need to put pressure, we’re together in it. Doesn’t guarantee anything, but I like the way we’ve been doing this.”
