“He’s been one of our leaders, and he has fit in really well with us,” Hamonic said of Boychuk. “I think John is a great player, and as many great players as we can have on our team, all the better for us.”

Such plaudits could lead to a swelled head for some. But Boychuk, drafted in the second round by Colorado in 2002, maintains a calmness that appears to rub off on his teammates.

“I’m having fun and the guys have been great,” he said after a recent practice. “It’s been an easy transition for me, and it’s also been fun to get more responsibility. There’s always a time to be funny and loose, but when it’s time to get serious, you have to put away the lightheartedness and focus on what it takes to win.”

The Islanders have not won a playoff series since 1993 and have reached the postseason only twice since 2004. But at 39-19-2 after Saturday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Capitals, they lead the Metropolitan Division with seven weeks remaining in the regular season.

Leddy, who is quieter than Boychuk, said the learning curve of joining a new club was aided by his new partner’s approach to the game.

“From Johnny, I’ve learned how I can complement him and how we can complement each other,” said Leddy, 23. “How he’s become the player he is, that’s something we can all learn from.”

Islanders Coach Jack Capuano, a stickler for structure and playing a brand of grinding but still creative hockey, values a top-tier pair like Boychuk and Leddy.

“They are coming from teams that have been successful, and anytime you can have those types of players in your room, it adds a different dimension,” Capuano said. “Nick is a very elusive player — a guy that moves the puck and moves his feet — while John is a throwback. He’s one of those guys who plays physical and is not afraid to shoot a puck from anywhere on the ice.”