Islanders’ Simon Holmstrom Shines in Line Change

For quite a while, Simon Holmstrom’s performance in the NHL has been closely linked to Jean-Gabriel Pageau. There’s just something about how he meshes with Pageau as a center. The Islanders appreciate that synergy, but it’s also made it tricky for Holmstrom to break into the starting lineup. Coach Patrick Roy hasn’t had much latitude to experiment with the lineup.

This backdrop made Holmstrom’s placement on Brayden Schenn’s line interesting ahead of Saturday’s game, where the team clinched a 3-2 victory against the Flames. It was particularly significant for Holmstrom to step in for Pageau, playing on the left wing. He not only delivered a solid performance overall but also scored two goals.

“Just watching him play the last few games, obviously he’s very talented on both ends of the ice. Honestly, I had no idea what type of player he was when he came in here,” Schenn commented. “He really surprised me. Very talented, very good with the puck, he can skate. He’s definitely a 200-foot player and fun to play with.”

In a quirky twist, Holmstrom had initially changed his jersey number, and Schenn had even bought him a Rolex to mark the occasion. But on Saturday, Holmstrom received a different kind of gift—a first goal assist from Rush.

Ironically, Holmstrom scored his second goal thanks to Pageau while the Islanders were shorthanded in the first period. Even with Pageau and Holmstrom not usually separated, their combination on the penalty kill has shown promise, especially when joined by Anthony Duclair in even-strength play.

“Anthony Duclair had a good game. I love the way he plays in his own zone,” Roy stated, adding, “Simon played great with Schenner.”

Looking ahead, it seems likely that Roy will return Holmstrom to Pageau at some point as the playoffs near. Despite the potential for changes throughout the season, their established chemistry offers stability, which can be vital as they gear up for more competitive play.

Holmstrom himself acknowledged the importance of building chemistry with his teammates, noting, “It definitely helps to build chemistry with the players I play with. I think everyone here, we’re a very close-knit group, so we can all play together. So I don’t think it’s going to make that much of a difference. However, developing chemistry also takes time.”

In a noteworthy personal achievement, David Rittich got his first career win against the Flames on Saturday—his former team. He reflected, “It’s about time. I know my record against them since I left Calgary, and it wasn’t great. It was terrible. So it’s nice to finally get a win against them.”