Oliver Wahlstrom, Cal Clutterbuck return to Islanders lineup
New York Islanders right wing Oliver Wahlstrom (26) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second period against the Anaheim Ducks, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. Credit: AP/Julia Nikhinson
Oliver Wahlstrom and Cal Clutterbuck returned to the Islanders’ lineup in Saturday night’s 7-1 win over the Ducks at UBS Arena as new coach Lane Lambert revamped two forward lines after one game.
Clutterbuck was activated from injured reserve while Wahlstrom also missed time during training camp because of an unspecified issue. Sebastian Aho, who participated in Saturday’s morning skate and then stayed on the ice for an additional 45 minutes with the extras, was placed on IR with an upper-body issue retroactive to last Saturday to open a roster spot. That leaves the Islanders with just six active defensemen.
Clutterbuck, starting a two-season, $3.5 million extension, required season-ending shoulder surgery in March. The gritty right wing played in the Islanders’ preseason opener on Sept. 26 before being shut down because of soreness.
He was re-inserted onto Casey Cizikas’ identity line with Matt Martin with Nikita Soshnikov coming out as a healthy scratch.
“It’s been awhile so I felt good,” said Clutterbuck, who logged 12:03 with three shots and four hits.
Wahlstrom, who had 13 goals and 11 assists in 73 games last season, played in the Islanders’ first three preseason games before being slowed physically.
Wahlstrom logged 9:44 with two shots and a breakaway goal skating on Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s right wing along with Josh Bailey.
“I look at the overall game,” Lambert said. “He was very good on the walls getting pucks out. Solid defensively. It was a good night for him.”
Kieffer Bellows was a healthy scratch after logging a team-low 7:16 in Thursday night’s season-opening 3-1 loss to the visiting Panthers.
Isles files
Lambert said the team is hoping Aho’s IR stint is a short one…Mathew Barzal had two assists…Defenseman Alexander Romanov blocked five shots and has 14 through the first two games…Ross Johnston was also a healthy scratch.
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.
