The Islanders have been in three shutouts this year, two ending in victories and one ending in defeat. We sat down with New York Post Digital Producer and Isles Blog reporter Rob Taub to discuss the first week of the Islanders season.

The Third Line

Kieffer Bellows has played in every game this season for the Islanders, but he was sent to the Taxi Squad yesterday.

#Islanders assigned Kieffer Bellows to the Taxi Squad today, and also recalled Dmytro Timashov from the AHL back up to the Taxi Squad. https://t.co/ji4TcWbiKv

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) January 20, 2021

“Bellows has been good,” Taub said. “He has been noticeable. When he had eight hits on opening night, that really stuck out. The points will come with time.”

Along with Bellows, Ross Johnston has played on the third line, providing a physical presence to the team. However, with Michael Dal Colle nearing a return from injury, he could take Johnston’s spot.

“[Dal Colle] is a worker,” Taub said. “He is a hard-working, defensive player. Offense is not what he is there for and he will assume a third line role.”

Oliver Wahlstrom, the 11th overall selection in the 2018 NHL Draft, has not played in a game this season.

“It will take time,” Taub said. “Trotz will try to shuffle Wahlstrom into the mix, but he is a top-six forward.”

Barry Trotz is unpredictable and there are countless options for him to use in this position. As the season progresses, the third line will be a storyline to watch.

“You do not expect a lot of offense from the third line,” Taub said. “They are top-heavy and Trotz focuses on defense.”

The Defense

After a limited role in his rookie season, Noah Dobson has assumed a full time position on defense.

“There will be growing pains with [Dobson],” Taub said. “He is developing and you have to work him in there. There have been flashes that he can be a really good defenseman in this league.”

He is playing with Andy Greene, not Nick Leddy like he did at times last year. Leddy is playing with Scott Mayfield and is building upon his impressive 2019-20 campaign.

“[Leddy] could be playing for his future with the Islanders,” Taub said. “Trotz and Lamoriello love him, but I do not know. I think he could be here for the long haul. Who knows?”

If there are injuries on the blueline, the Islanders could have some issues, but so far their defense has been fantastic.

The Goalie Situation

Semyon Varlamov become the first goaltender in Islanders history to record two shutouts in his first two games of a season. He has fended off Ilya Sorokin and emerged as the clear starting goalie.

“Originally, I saw the starts going 50-50, but Varlamov is on a mission,” Taub said. “Now, I could see Varlamov get more of the starts. He is in a different zone this year coming off the playoff run he had.”

Sorokin made his debut for the Islanders on Saturday, Jan. 16 and struggled, allowing five goals on 32 shots.

“Sorokin will get his starts,” Taub said. “But right now, Varlamov is the guy.”

Cal Clutterbuck shot the puck at Varlamov high in warmups, thrusting Sorokin into the starting role with 20 minutes of notice. They lost 5-0 in that game, but responded to beat the Bruins 1-0 two nights later behind Varlamov’s second shutout.

“The way it was handled internally was Trotz saying ‘don’t let this happen again,'” Taub said. “The Islanders have learned to not shoot high in warmups.”

Check out Rob Taub’s articles on Isles Blog by clicking here!

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