ST. LOUIS — Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pageau were watching tape a few days ago and noticed a clip of Simon Holmstrom's forecheck.
The winger, who plays on the third line with Lee and Pageau, got on the forecheck and played physical hockey, the kind that isn't generally considered part of his game.
This isn't the first time his linemates have noticed Holmstrom starting the season with a little more energy.
“That's an aspect of his game that he's continued to develop into,” Lee told the Post. “He doesn't have to rely on it, but when he adds that in there, we can get the puck back and get his ability back — even if it's just going in. [the opposing player’s] Poke the puck and it helped us reach our goal last night [against Colorado] He just gets in the way there. I think his game is continuing to grow and getting stronger and his confidence is doing well. ”
Holmstrom recorded his first assist for the second time this season, assisting on Lee's goal Monday night in Denver.
The Swede is in his third year in the NHL, but it's still a bit of an unknown what kind of player he will be.
The Islanders have used Holmstrom primarily in the bottom six, but have given him occasional chances higher up in the lineup, highlighting the 23-year-old's offensive potential.
However, it was his defensive awareness that allowed him to establish himself in the NHL lineup in the first place.
So far this season, what's most noticeable to those who watch him every day is the physical and defensive side of his game.
“You can see the physicality, you can see him using his body a lot more than just the big hits,” Pageau told the Post before Thursday's game between the Islanders and the Blues. “When it comes to protecting the puck or getting into a battle, the first thing you do is put your body forward. He's a big kid, a big butt, he has to use those big feet, and I think he's using that more now. I think he uses it to his advantage. I don't know if it's because of his experience or his confidence, but I feel like he's winning a lot of those battles.”
Pageau cited faceoffs as an example, noting that Holmstrom is “winning a lot of draws” by targeting the puck in ways he might not have done in the past.
“I think we all knew he had a good hockey IQ and good skills.” [player]made some good plays in the passing game,” Pageau said. “But for him to play like this and win fights and be physical like this, I think it adds a new element to his game.”
Rather than throwing game-changing open-ice hits (Holmstrom has recorded just two hits so far this season), he's making more subtle changes in how he approaches every shift. are.
Holmstrom said it wasn't a conscious effort on his part and he wasn't trying to play a more physical brand of hockey, but he's willing to take the compliment.
“You always want to get stronger and faster,” Holmstrom told the Post. “…I think if you go out there and compete hard and fight hard, that’s just going to happen naturally.”
According to Natural Stat Trick, heading into Thursday's fourth game of the season against St. Louis, the third line had scored just one goal, but in a total of 26:04, they converted three dangerous chances. Limited.
“We haven't actually put the puck in the net yet. I think that's the last step for us,” Holmstrom said. “I think we played very solid defensively. I don't think we had many scoring chances against us either. I think we have to keep playing and keep growing.”
