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It’s not breaking news that Ondrej Palat struggled when he got to Long Island last season. And it was understandable to assume, at age 35, that this season wouldn’t be much different for a player who had taken a step back during his tenure as a New Jersey Devil.
The Islanders’ win Saturday night over the Maple Leafs, though, was the latest and most emphatic piece of evidence that no such thing is happening.
Palat had arguably his best game as an Islander in the 4-1 victory, despite not making it onto the scoresheet. The Islanders were up ice on nearly every one of his shifts. He won battles and played nearly perfectly on breakouts and in his own end. In his 13:01 of ice time, the Islanders out-attempted Toronto by an absurd 19-1 margin, per Natural Stat Trick’s count.
“He’s been great all year,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “I think he’s come back with something to prove. I think from training camp, he’s been engaged and ready. He wants more. If anything it’s on me to give him a little bit more than what he’s even got so far. He’s been that good.”
Of course, the opportunity for more minutes may become something like a necessity. Palat has been on the Islanders fourth line for six of eight games, but would be an obvious candidate to move up in the lineup should Calum Ritchie or Matias Maccelli miss time with lower-body injuries sustained Saturday night.
While he’s unlikely to fill the Islanders’ scoring gaps, Palat’s two-way play and forechecking make him a positive force.
“We all knew he had game left in him,” Kyle Palmieri told The Post. “I think he just came into camp with a clear mind and was ready to go. It’s awesome to see.”
Palmieri, who was rehabbing an injury when Palat was dealt to the Islanders last season, noticed at the start of camp that he was in “great shape” — something Palat has credited to changes in his offseason routine, while declining to get into specifics.
“I know what kind of an impact play he can make. I watched firsthand what he was like in Tampa. Saw his years in Jersey. I thought he’s a guy you always see on the ice, you always notice,” Palmieri said. “I think the impact he’s making this year is a really positive thing for our group. Hopefully he continues to be that.”