Who will take the jobs of playing on Jean-Gabriel Pageau's wings?

It is as much a mathematical equation as it is a player-personnel decision.

The Islanders have four forwards competing for two openings as third-line wingers.  

And the solution to the problem, at least in Lane Lambert’s mind, can be answered only by the performances of Simon Holmstrom, Oliver Wahlstrom, Hudson Fasching and Julian Gauthier.

“You’re looking for internal competition and for guys to grasp jobs,” Lambert said following practice Monday morning at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow. “We’re going to have that all year long, that competition. You’d like to see somebody grasp [those jobs], for sure.”

And to that end, Tuesday night’s match against Stanley Cup contender Colorado at UBS Arena likely provides an opportunity for Holmstrom and Wahlstrom, both of whom skated on Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s left and right wings during the nearly hour-long practice.

While Lambert is typically reticent to tip his hand about lineup decisions, he did say Holmstrom and Pageau are “good thinkers” who are defensively responsible, while Wahlstrom could serve as “the triggerman” for the line.

Wahlstrom, who made his 2023-24 season debut in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Sabres in Buffalo, is coming off an ACL injury suffered last December.

“I can jump in right away,” said Wahlstrom, who also worked with the second power-play unit in practice. “It’s just obviously monitoring soreness. I obviously put in the best workout I’ve ever put in rehabbing and getting stronger, so I know the knee is one hundred percent. But you’re still going to have almost a year to get the soreness out and get it a little stronger.”  

So Wahlstrom, 23, doesn’t have any questions about his knee. Neither does his coach.

“I don’t know if you grade him on a curve,” Lambert said. “We’re in the business of winning hockey games right now, and if he’s ready to go, he’s ready to go. And I think he’s ready.”

So if Wahlstrom plays his second straight game, and Holmstrom is reinserted into the lineup — he was scratched for the loss to the Sabres — who comes out?

In all likelihood, Gauthier.

The 26-year-old made his season debut in Saturday’s loss, contributing a shot on goal in 12:58 of ice time.

“I thought it wasn't bad for my first game in two or three weeks,” said Gauthier, who last dressed for the final preseason game against the Devils on Oct. 6.

And, yes, there was some difficulty in developing rhythm with his linemates after not playing in 15 days. But as the one-time Ranger (and Hurricane and Senator) pointed out, that is the reality of the situation.

“It’s for sure a little harder but if it’s your position right now, you’ve got to try to adapt to it as best you can. And when you jump in, you [have] to try to be ready as much as you can. That’s just the way it is.”

Mayfield update

Scott Mayfield (lower-body injury) did not participate in practice. Lambert said Mayfield has been “trying” when asked if the 31-year-old has been skating. The veteran defenseman has played only one game this season, the 3-2 season-opening win over the Sabres at home on Oct. 14, in which Mayfield skated 16:47 and blocked four shots.