Simon Holmstrom on an Islanders tear after reunion…
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — It could be unfair to connect Simon Holmstrom’s surge in manufacturing over the past month to enjoying alongside Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and not notably factual either given that the 2 have performed just six of the past 14 video games on the same line for the Islanders.
As for the 5 factors he has had in the past three video games, including a starring three-point night time in the Islanders’ 4-3 win over the Wild on Saturday, though? Well, being reunited with Pageau definitely hasn’t damage.
“I think he definitely makes the player he’s playing with better,” Pageau said after the Islanders practiced Monday. “That’s how I see him. We’re close off the ice also. We chat a lot after almost every shift: Where could we have been, what we could have done better and we seem to be on the same page. Or if we’re not, just chatting it up to make it easier after. I don’t think there’s any more to it.”
New York Islanders heart Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) celebrates his aim against the Minnesota Wild with proper wing Simon Holmstrom (10) during the second period at UBS Arena. Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Being on a line with Pageau, also Holmstrom’s penalty-killing companion, has always appeared to help the Swede’s recreation. But his torrid last month — 13 factors in 14 video games, plus an absurd 84.19 objectives for share at 5-on-5, per Evolving Hockey — comes down to a lot more than that.
“I feel like now he really took another step,” Pageau said. “Just the way he skates with the puck, his confidence. The way he shoots the puck, makes some really good defensive plays, blocks shots. He’s kinda doing it all. I feel like he takes a step forward every day. It’s rare that you see him not do anything in a game.”
Coach Patrick Roy said he’s been seeing more consistency and assertiveness in Holmstrom’s recreation.
“I really loved the way he holds onto the puck, how he’s coming back, the positioning in the D-Zone,” Roy said. “Offensively, I can tell that he started shooting the puck with more confidence. I guess this is a big deal for any player.”
New York Islanders proper wing Simon Holmstrom (10) skates with the puck against New York Islanders in the second period at Grand Casino Arena. IMAGN IMAGES via GWN Connect
Kyle MacLean will come back into the lineup Tuesday for Max Tsyplakov and play on the fourth line with Casey Cizikas and Marc Gatcomb.
“I feel like they have an identity,” Roy said. “I thought Sippy did OK last game. … I think what we’re trying to do is having everybody be involved. We’re playing so well, having everybody be a part of it, I think, is important.”
Ilya Sorokin will start in aim against the Jets.
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