The Islanders' Mathew Barzal, left, celebrates his first-period goal against the Rangers with Ryan Pulock at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14. Credit: AP/Bruce Bennett
There will come a time for deeper reflection and appreciation, maybe five years from now, maybe when his career has ended. But Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock knows he’s lucky to have played as much as hockey as he has through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s brought a semblance of normalcy with so many other aspects of daily life interrupted or altered.
This week marks the one-year anniversary of the NHL pausing last season on March 12, 2020 before ultimately resuming play in postseason bubbles in Toronto and Edmonton through August and September.