Scott Mayfield has never been an offensively inclined defenseman.
Reliably steady on both ends, yes. But across six full seasons in the NHL, Mayfield had scored just 19 goals going into Saturday — and never had more than five in a season. Now, however, he could be on his way to a new career high sooner rather than later.
Mayfield scored twice for the first time in his career in the Islanders’ 7-1 victory over the Ducks at UBS Arena on Saturday, celebrating his 30th birthday in style, albeit a day late.
His first goal came doing something Mayfield rarely has done in his career: joining the rush. After Anthony Beauvillier started it, Mayfield got to the net. He was there for the rebound after Anaheim goaltender John Gibson saved Anders Lee’s initial shot, opening up a 1-0 lead at 10:34 of the first period.
In the second period, with the Islanders already up 3-0, Mayfield took a cross-ice pass from Mathew Barzal and sniped a shot from the right point past Gibson to make it 4-0.
“I think if you look at him the last couple years, he’s tried to get up in the play a little bit,” Islanders coach Lane Lambert said. “There is always an adjustment period to be sure for everyone. What he does and what he recognizes pretty well is when to go.”
Those were his first goals since March 22 — the last game in which Mayfield played before a lower-body injury ended his 2021-22 season six weeks early. On top of that, Mayfield has started the season paired alongside Robin Salo, who had just 21 games of NHL experience coming into this season, and under a new coach, Lambert, with a new system. And he is in a contract year.
Given all of that, it would not have been at all surprising to see Mayfield struggle a bit at the start of the season. Through two games, he has navigated the potential problems with aplomb.
“It’s not ideal [being away], it sucks,” Mayfield said. “It sucks, but it feels good right now.”
Oliver Wahlstrom, in his return from an upper-body injury, and with all the pressure of being a potential part of the roster churn once the Islanders get back to full strength, scored on a breakaway chance at 5:34 of the second period.
“Obviously it felt good,” Wahstrom said. “Great pass by [Jean-Gabriel Pageau] there. We talked about it on the bench, you just need one look and we got it. Pager made an unbelievable defensive play and I was able to bury it, so it was good.”
Cal Clutterbuck, who missed the opener while on injured reserve with soreness in his surgically repaired shoulder, made his season debut.
The Islanders avoided sending anyone to AHL Bridgeport by putting defenseman Sebastian Aho on IR retroactive to Oct. 8, saying he had an upper-body injury. Aho had participated in the morning skate and worked with the extras for approximately 45 minutes afterward, seeming to be healthy.
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