The math problem in the Islanders’ bottom-six is starting to see a solution come into focus.
Simon Holmstrom has barely come out of the lineup all season, but after scoring a pair of goals on the road to surpass his total from last season in under half the games, sitting him can’t be considered.
Julien Gauthier has barely played all year, but after a pair of strong performances including his first goal with the Islanders in Florida, he can’t come out anytime soon either.
And scratching Hudson Fasching after he has made an impact every time he’s been asked over the last few weeks seems ill-advised.
So at least for the moment, the math dictates that Oliver Wahlstrom and Matt Martin are the odd men out — and indeed both were on the ice late after Monday’s practice, indicating they could be scratches on Tuesday against San Jose if Brock Nelson (maintenance) is healthy.
“We had a lot of bodies, honestly,” Gauthier told The Post after Monday’s practice. “I was the new guy here, it’s hard to get in at the start. I understand that, but I learned the system pretty well. Getting better every day. We’re just keeping improving every day.”
Gauthier’s speed and shot was always the attraction for the Islanders, who signed him as the only new player on the roster coming into this season.
Outside of two games, though, he didn’t crack the lineup for the first 20 matches of the year — the bottom-six logjam outweighing a solid training camp.
Now it is four games in a row for Gauthier, who drew a penalty and created two goals in Florida, his second assist of the season coming after Holmstrom stuffed his shot into the net off a second-period rush.
Thanks in part to Mat Barzal’s absence due to illness, Gauthier ended up spending 8:31 of the 4-3 victory on the top line with Anders Lee and Bo Horvat.
That may be unlikely to continue with a healthy Barzal — he practiced Monday — but after Wahlstrom was demoted from the top line for Gauthier, it looks now as though he will be demoted out of the lineup for Gauthier.
“We’re cognizant of the fact that when he was out, he was working hard,” Islanders coach Lane Lambert said. “What he did is, he had a great attitude when he wasn’t playing. When you do that and you get a chance, what happens is it can transform into good things.”
As for Holmstrom, he is finally starting to show in Year 2 what he could not in Year 1.
The Islanders spent much of last year talking up his shot and saying the offense would come despite just six goals in 50 games.
Holmstrom now has seven goals in 22 games this year, including three shorthanded goals to tie for the league lead.
“[The timeline is] so different from person to person, of course,” Holmstrom told The Post. “I think it’s taken a little too long for me, but I’m definitely getting there and I’m really excited.”
Even Holmstrom’s spot on the roster looked to be at risk during camp, if only because he was exempt from waivers and could be sent down without worry.
The Islanders instead waived Ross Johnston and chose to keep Holmstrom in the NHL and in the lineup, continuing to believe the next step would come.
It has.
“I think it comes with time,” Holmstrom said. “When your confidence grows, that definitely helps. And same thing when you feel comfortable out there with your teammates and your linemates.”
He has seized the opportunity. Gauthier looks to be in the process of doing the same.
“I’ve been putting in a lot of work just to get into the lineup,” Gauthier said. “And then to get in and prove that you can help, it’s rewarding. It feels nice to help the team win.”
Credit: Source link
