NY Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson named NHL's third star of the week

It's been a tremendous breakout season for NY Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson, who was named the NHL's third star of the week. Dobson tallied eight points in four games, including two three-point nights against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens.

Dobson was recognized by the league along with Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko, who was named second star, and Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon, named first.

The emergence of Dobson has been long awaited by the organization and Isles fans alike, but the 23-year-old has materialized into one of the top offensive threats in the league from the blue line. Currently fourth among all defensemen in points, Dobson has 32 points (5 G, 27 A) through 30 games.

He's thrown his name into the ring with some all-time great Islanders, becoming just the second Isles defenseman to record 27 assists through 30 games, joining hall of famer Denis Potvin, who did so in 1975-76.

In the Isles' near comeback against the Canadiens, where they trailed 3-0 into the third period, Dobson recorded assists on all three Islanders goals, becoming the first Islanders defenseman to do so since 2007.

Trailing Quinn Hughes, Cale Makar, and Evan Bouchard in the points category among defensemen, the question is being raised whether Dobson deserves to be in the conversation for the Norris Trophy comes season's end. On pace for 88 points as things currently stand, if Dobson continues at the rate he's at, he'll for sure be mentioned among the league's best. If Dobson were to be the recipient of the Norris Trophy, he'd be just the second Islander to do so, along with Potvin, who was named the NHL's top defenseman three times, most recently in 1979.

Dobson is the second Islander this season to be named one of the NHL's three stars of the week, joining Mat Barzal.