Oliver Wahlstrom Lone Bright Spot in Slumping Islanders Latest Loss

Reasons to cheer for the New York Islanders have been far and few between, and Saturday was just the latest loss in a streak that has reached 10 with the 3-2 overtime defeat at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings. In a season that has been hard to find many positives, Oliver Wahlstrom was one of the only ones on Saturday.

Despite seeing the losing streak reach 10 games (0-8-2), the New York Islanders saw forward Oliver Wahlstrom step up in a big way in getting points in two consecutive games.

Both of Wahlstrom’s goals came on the power play, becoming the first player in head coach Barry Trotz’s tenure on the island to score two power-play goals in a single game. The last Islander to accomplish this feat was defenseman Ryan Pulock, who did so back in March of 2018.

The second-year NHLer now has seven goals on the season, with four coming on the power play. The Islanders have only scored seven power-play goals on the season, with Wahlstrom owning four of them.

With his two goals tonight, Wahlstorm’s seven goals has him sitting just two behind Brock Nelson (9) for the team lead and three and four points behind Mat Barzal and Nelson, who have nine.

Wahlstrom’s first power-play dagger of the night tied the game at two at 10:49 of the second period. His second tied the game at 12:33 of the third period, which ultimately led to the Islanders collecting a point.

His first of the night came from a different spot than we have become accustomed too, in a different fashion. Lined up on the top of the right circle, rather than inside the left, he let a wrist shot go following a pass from Noah Dobson that beat Detroit netminder Alex Nedeljkovich blocker side through traffic.

Given his positioning on the ice, a wrist shot was the right move rather than the usual slap shot. He kept his head up the whole way, taking a stride or two before letting the puck come off his stick.

New York’s decision-making in the offensive zone, particularly on the power play has been anything but intelligent, so it was good to see Wahlstrom make a heads-up play and see the decision pay off.

His second of the night came from his usual spot inside the left hash marks. But it was not his stereotypical shot, as the feed by Mat Barzal across the offensive zone was not in a prime spot for a full one-timer like we have seen from Wahlstrom.

But given Wahlstrom’s strength and timing, he got the puck off his stick rather quickly, with a semi-slapper that he deposited high blocker side.

Two power-play goals, in two different fashions, from two different spots, on two shots. But an important add-on to that is same spot.

Wahlstrom saw where his first goal went and did not overthink when he had a second chance.

In the loss to San Jose on Thursday, the Islanders scored the first goal of the game high blocker side. But the blocker side moving forward in that game was not really tested, with most shots being snagged by the glove of Sharks netminder Adin Hill.

At this stage of the season, collecting points is a top priority given New York’s location at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division standings. And getting support from a power play that entered the game in Detroit at an abysmal 10 percent, was sure a positive for Wahlstrom and the Islanders to build off.

“I think the most important thing was the breakout,” said Wahlstrom on the difference in the power play Saturday night. “It hasn’t been pretty this year. We gotta just hone in down and keep working on it.”

“Just gotta keep working.”

The Portland, Maine native has struggled to gain ice time this season, despite his offensive prowess from time to time. Prior to the game against Detroit, Wahlstrom was pointless in his last ten games, playing under 14 minutes per game over the previous three.

Wahlstrom was only on the ice for a total of 10:33 minutes. He failed to register a five-on-five shot in 7:55 minutes of even-strength play.

But there was a caveat to the limited ice time on Saturday.

After Anthony Beauvillier was hit hard by Detroit forward Adam Erne, Wahlstrom came to his defense.

Being a stand-up teammate is always something you want to see, but his decision to stand up to Erne came with a major price.

Wahlstrom was assessed a two-minute penalty for instigating, which carried a 10-minute misconduct along with the five minutes for fighting at 10:19 of the second frame.

So for 17 minutes, Wahlstrom was not available for Trotz, which heavily impacted his minutes.

But Wahlstrom did make the most of his ice time. The Islanders need to see him become more consistent on a game-to-game basis since the potential is clearly there for him to be a top offensive producer for New York.

Especially on the power play, as he looks to help turn New Yorks’ man-advantage struggles around, one goal at a time.