Oliver Wahlstrom puts some fight into the Islanders
Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, right, and Islanders right wing Oliver Wahlstrom collide during third-period NHL game action in Toronto on Monday. Credit: AP/Christopher Katsarov
Oliver Wahlstrom and Rasmus Sandin stood in the post-game hallway at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, two close friends with a shared Swedish background catching up, laughing and smiling as the NHL season briefly allowed them to cross paths.
Except about an hour earlier, Wahlstrom took on the Maple Leafs defenseman in an unexpected third-period fight, ending it by lifting and tossing his buddy to the ice.
Wahlstrom may not be producing as much offensively as either he or the Islanders want, but the 22-year-old top-line right wing has little to prove to his teammates.
“I thought Mark Giordano was coming,” Wahlstrom recalled of the fight prior to the Islanders’ match against the Oilers on Wednesday night at UBS Arena. “So I turned around and it was [Sandin]. I was like, ‘Aw, I’ve already committed to it buddy, I’ve got to go.’
“It was fine. He’s one of those unbelievable guys, one of those funny, goofy guys. Afterward, we were like, ‘Aw man, we’re never doing that again.’ But it’s part of the game. Kudos to him for doing that. He’s not really a fighter. I’m not a fighter. The Toronto fans backed him and it was big for him, too.”
Wahlstrom had just upended Auston Matthews coming into the Islanders’ zone and Sandin, also 22, stood up for the Maple Leafs star center with his first NHL fight. Later, Wahlstrom’s teammates credited the fight with picking up the bench and helping them to rally for a 3-2 overtime win on Monday night as they concluded a 2-2-0 road trip.
“In that particular instance, it definitely lifted the bench up,” coach Lane Lambert said. “I’ve been really happy with him, his physicality. He’s strong. He wins battles on the walls trying to get pucks out. He adds that element which is nice for us to have.”
Wahlstrom, born in Portland, Maine, is a dual citizen of both the U.S. and Sweden. His father, Joakim Wahlstrom, played collegiately at the University of Maine and then professionally in Sweden.
Wahlstrom, who had his fourth NHL fight, entered Wednesday’s game with five goals and five assists in 19 games but with just one goal in his previous 12 games and one goal and two assists over his previous nine games.
“I think I’m more solid this year than last year,” said Wahlstrom, the 11th overall pick in 2018 who had 13 goals and 11 assists in 73 games last season. “Maybe not the goals are going in but I feel like I’m doing the right things and becoming a little more consistent. I know I’m still young but I’m getting there. I’m learning. I’m excited where it’s going.”
Lambert, like predecessor Barry Trotz, has been careful not to overwhelm Wahlstrom. He entered Wednesday ranked 11th among the Islanders forwards with an average ice time of 11:58 despite skating with top-line center Mathew Barzal (18:50). Only Matt Martin (10:15) was averaging less among the Islanders regulars.
Wahlstrom said that might have been something that concerned him in past seasons.
“Now it’s just about what I can do with those minutes,” Wahlstrom said. “I think that’s what changed a little bit this year is it’s just what I can do with whatever I get and have a positive mindset.”
Even if it means fighting.
“I’m not really looking for it ever,” Wahlstrom said. “If I really have to, if a teammate goes down, I won’t back down. I’ve always been like a feisty little kid when I was younger. I never looked for it. If I really have to, then it kind of goes to a dark mode.”
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
