It took Simon Holmstrom a while to get going this year.
But since moving up to the third line with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anders Lee, Holmstrom has transformed into one of the Islanders’ most productive players, averaging a point per game over his last seven, including the game-winning goal with 38 seconds to go Sunday night against the Blue Jackets.
“I have one word in mind, [it’s] ‘Wow,’ ” coach Patrick Roy said after the 3-2 win over Columbus. “It’s fun to see how him and Pager play so well together on the PK. Even on the five-on-five. That line with Anders, going around the net, possessing the puck and having him score that goal at the end, it was nice to see the guys be rewarded the way they’re playing.”
While Holmstrom’s contributions on the penalty kill have been a huge boost for the Islanders — he scored a shorthanded goal in Philadelphia on Oct. 25 and has been a key part of the Isles going three straight games without allowing a power-play goal — it’s his five-on-five that looks much better than the first few games of the season.
Holmstrom has never been a player who throws the puck on net freely, but it was surprising to see him go the first three games of the year without a single shot on goal, and do so while stuck on the fourth line.
Getting back with Pageau — with whom he’s enjoyed plenty of success in the past — seems to have galvanized his play, and to the betterment of the Islanders.
Holmstrom’s line was up ice and creating chances for most of Sunday’s game, and finally broke through at the best possible time, when Holmstrom converted Lee’s rebound just 29 seconds after Matthew Schaefer had tied the game at two.
“We had a lot of great chances,” Holmstrom said. “I think Leesy hit the post before that as well. I think we did a great job.”
Matthew Schaefer’s five goals lead all NHL defensemen after the rookie scored twice Sunday.
Roy said that Max Shabanov (upper body) started skating on his own Sunday, but added, “I don’t think he’s close to a return.”
Shabanov has not yet been placed on injured reserve, though he could be as soon as the Islanders need to free up a roster spot. If he’s put on long-term injured reserve, that would require him to be out until Nov. 15.
David Rittich surprisingly started in goal after Ilya Sorokin had his best game of the season Friday in Washington, turning aside 20 shots.
Roy said that Sorokin would be back in net Tuesday against the Bruins.
