Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock are two of the best players on the New York Islanders. Pelech and Pulock have spent a majority of the last two seasons as the Islanders’ top defense pair, helping the team reach two consecutive final fours. However, Barry Trotz recently decided to split up the two. Zdeno Chara has been paired with Pulock. Pelech’s new partner is Scott Mayfield. Nonetheless, the separation of Pelech and Pulock is damaging and harmful.

The defense has had noticeably less structure. Pelech and Pulock look less comfortable with their new partners, and as a result, have been less effective. They both had a plus/minus of +15 last season. Pelech is doing well with a +7 this season, but Pulock – who has been paired with Chara most of the year – is a -1.

Let’s dive into some stats to see how dominant Pelech and Pulock really are. Expected Defensive Goals Above Replacement (xDEF) is a popular advanced statistic to grade defensemen. Last season, Pelech had a 5.3 and Pulock had a 4.5. Only a handful of players were better than Pelech and Pulock in this category last year. This was also well above any other Islanders’ players. Every other Islander defenseman had a 0.6 or lower besides Scott Mayfield. 

Goals Above Replacement (xGAR) is another advanced metric. Pelech and Pulock also boasted impressive numbers in this category last year. Pelech had a 10.5 and Pulock had a 4.5. Once again, Mayfield was the only Islander in the same solar system as the top pair.

Not only did Pelech and Pulock make some of the league’s best stars struggle to score, but they also set up opportunities for their teammates. Expected goals (xGF%) helps determine the expected number of goals a team will score with a specific player on the ice. As you probably have guessed, this number was much higher when Pelech and Pulock were on the ice last year. With Pelech and Pulock, the Islanders average an xGF% of 61.52 percent. Without Pelech and Pulock, the Islanders averaged far less, at 49.68 percent. 

The Islanders lack star power, meaning they must rely on strategy to defeat teams with stars. By utilizing the right strategies, the Islanders have defeated Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals, Sidney Crosby and the Penguins plus Brad Marchand and the Bruins in recent playoff runs. None of this would be possible without Pelech and Pulock. Luckily, the two work so well together, and with the help of smart strategizing by Barry Trotz, have been just about unstoppable.

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No reason has been provided as to why the Islanders decided to split up Pelech and Pulock. Perhaps the other defensive pairs weren’t succeeding enough, so dividing Pelech and Pulock could help. Maybe Chara needs Pulock to shelter him.

On the other hand, the benefit is that either Pelech or Pulock will be on the ice for at least two-thirds of the game. The disadvantage, on the other hand, is that they work best when together.

By splitting up Pelech and Pulock, the Islanders no longer have a pairing that is nearly impossible to score against. Generally, the best bet for success is using your top two defenders together. When it comes to crucial situations, such as a penalty-kill, defensive-zone face-off, protecting a late lead, or even all three, you want both your top two defensemen ready for that play. The two have gained so much chemistry in the last few years, so if they are forced to be separated moving forward, the Islanders may struggle against elite teams. 

Ben Kule

Die-Hard Islanders fan and writer from Plainview, Long Island, NY. I have a passion and knowledge for this team and I enjoy sharing that with others