Oliver Wahlstrom an option for Barry Trotz in Islanders' critical Game 4 against Lightning
Oliver Wahlstrom has been out of the Islanders lineup since being hurt in Game 5 against Piittsburgh, but coach Barry Trotz is weighing using him against Tampa Bay. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Barry Trotz spent Friday weighing the pros and cons of altering the Islanders’ lineup for Saturday night’s crucial Game 4 of their NHL semifinal series against the Lightning at Nassau Coliseum.
The coach acknowledged that rookie sharpshooter Oliver Wahlstrom was an option to be re-inserted after suffering a lower-body injury in Game 5 of the first-round series against the Penguins.
At the same time, Trotz conceded "this group is used to not a lot of change so when I throw some of those wrenches in, they sometimes go into a little bit of a spin cycle."
It’s a delicate but vital decision for Trotz with the Lightning taking a 2-1 series lead with their 2-1 win in Thursday night’s Game 3 at the Coliseum.
Wahlstrom, the 11th overall pick in 2018, had a goal and two assists in five games against the Penguins after 12 goals and nine assists in 44 regular-season games. He has a blistering right-handed shot from the left side that could benefit the Islanders — who have scored just five goals in three games against the Lightning — both five-on-five and on the power play.
"Some guys get small in the moment, especially in the playoffs," Trotz said. "I didn’t think Wahlly did. I thought he had a really good start in the playoffs and then he faded a little bit and then he got hurt. I have a lot of faith in what Wahlly can do if we put him in and he is an option for us. We had a big discussion if he comes in the lineup. We haven’t made any decisions."
He would likely be inserted for Travis Zajac, who has a goal and assist in 10 playoff games and has been used on the man advantage the last two games.
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.
