Islanders rookie Oliver Wahlstrom keeps getting ice time, beginning to display his talent
Islanders right wing Oliver Wahlstrom reacts with defenseman Nick Leddy after his power-play goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first period of an NHL hockey game at Nassau Coliseum on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Oliver Wahlstrom sat the first six games of the season.
But the rookie, with his blistering shot and improved defensive play, has since established himself as a key part of the Islanders’ lineup.
He notched his first career multi-point game with a power-play one-timer and a secondary assist on Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s man-advantage goal in Sunday’s 2-0 win over the Penguins at Nassau Coliseum.
Wahlstrom logged 9:53, including 2:25 on the Islanders’ 2-for-5 power play, in his 12th straight game and 14th of the last 15.
The 11th overall pick in 2018 has three goals and two assists in his last four games and leads all NHL rookies with five power-play points and four power-play assists.
Wahlstrom went without a point in nine games last season (he played fewer than 25 games, so he still is considered a rookie).
"It’s helped a lot," Wahlstrom said of being eased into the lineup. "Last year was pretty eye-opening for me. I learned what I could and what I couldn’t do without the puck. I’m just really enjoying it right now."
Still out
Cal Clutterbuck missed his second game with an undisclosed injury after exiting Thursday’s 7-2 win over the visiting Bruins in the first period.
Clutterbuck did skate on Sunday morning.
"He’s real close," coach Barry Trotz said. "With the type of injury he has, I just said, ‘Let’s just hold you off.’ If it was a playoff game, I’m pretty sure he would have played."
Isles files
The Islanders (7-0-2) are the only NHL team with at least a point in every home game . . Nick Leddy’s primary assist on Wahlstrom’s first-period power-playgoal extended his point streak to four games. He has eight assists in his last eight games . . . Josh Bailey had two assists . . . Matt Martin received just one third-period shift and Michael Dal Colle had only two as Trotz shortened his bench to protect the two-goal lead.
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.
