The nightmare for Samuel Bolduc came late in the second period in the last game of the regular season.
With the Islanders on the power play, the puck was cleared from the offensive zone and Bolduc tracked back to retrieve it.
What he didn’t see was Montreal’s Nick Suzuki, powering towards it.
And, before the rookie defenseman knew it, Suzuki had gained the puck, gained body position and scored.
Bolduc spent the rest of the 4-2 win on the bench.
“I thought I would’ve had more time, but obviously he just exploded and started skating,” Bolduc told The Post. “I looked back too late and it was too late when I figured out that he was coming hard. He got me. So yeah, it’s gotta be a learning experience.”
During the regular season, that is the kind of mistake one can easily dismiss as part of the learning curve for a 22-year-old defenseman with promise.
It happens to everyone.
Now, though, with Game 1 of the Islanders’ first-round playoff series against Carolina looming on Monday, Bolduc needs to learn the lesson quickly.
Since Alexander Romanov has been declared out for that game, with his status unclear for the rest of the series, Bolduc is expected to make his playoff debut.
That means playing in an environment where mistakes can cost the Islanders the season.
“There’s not gonna be a lot of time and space out there, especially during the playoffs,” Bolduc said. “Everything, you’re gonna have to do everything a step quicker. Get to the puck, pass the puck, everything. Just get everything a little bit faster.”
Noah Dobson, who has regularly partnered with Bolduc, was in a similar position just a few seasons ago, getting his first extended shot in the playoffs in 2021 after sitting all but one game during the Islanders’ run in the 2020 NHL bubble.
“It’s not easy,” Dobson said. “When he came up, when Romanov was out, we were playing playoff hockey for the last little bit. So it’s not easy as a young guy to come in and do that. But he’s done a good job. Obviously, he has this skill set where he’s a big body, he’s strong, he’s got good poise. He’s done a good job so far.”
The thing about picking one mistake out: It means Bolduc didn’t make all that many over his first 17 NHL games. Without a doubt, he has put himself in the mix for a permanent spot in the top six next season. In the big picture, the signs are nothing but encouraging.
But the playoffs aren’t so much about the big picture. What matters right now is Game 1, and whether Bolduc is ready for it.
Matt Martin missed practice, taking a maintenance day. Head coach Lane Lambert said there are no concerns about his status for the series opener.