Noah Dobson joins Denis Potvin as only NY Islanders defensemen to hit two marks

Before the start of the 2023-24 season, 60 points was a reasonable "stretch goal" for New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson after posting 51 and 49 points the previous two seasons. You may even recall General Manager Lou Lamoriello went out of his way prior to the season to defend Dobson and confidently stated that he believed Dobson had the talent to emerge as an elite offensive defenseman in the National Hockey League.

Lamoriello has been proven right, but even he might be slightly surprised at the extent of offensive production the 24-year-old has produced this season. Dobson blew by 60 points and, in Tuesday night's 4-2 win over the New York Rangers at UBS Arena, recorded two more assists, becoming the first Islanders defenseman other than Hall-of-Famer Denis Potvin to reach two marks.

According to statistician Eric Hornick, Dobson recorded the 19th 60-assist season in team history and only the fifth ever by a defenseman. The 2018 1st round pick (12th overall) is the first Islander defenseman with at least 70 points since 1983-84, when Potvin had 85, and the first with at least 60 assists since 1983-84, when Potvin recorded 63.

Dobson had been mired in a slump, going 13 games with only two assists as the Isles went winless in six straight games (0-5-1) after winning six straight to put themselves in playoff position. He scored his first goal since Mar. 7 vs. San Jose on Apr. 2 versus Columbus and that appears to have returned him back to the player he was for most of the season. He scored the game-winning goal at home versus Nashville and then followed that up with two assists last night against the Rangers.

As Dobson goes, so does the Islanders' offense, especially on the power play. Seeing him return to the form that had him included in the Norris Trophy conservation is a huge boost to the team as they seek to clinch a playoff berth over the next four games.