LAS VEGAS — Throughout what amounted to a State of the Islanders Q&A with reporters on the midpoint of the season on Thursday, Lou Lamoriello thought it fascinating that questions in regards to the current struggles of Brock Nelson, Kyle Palmieri and Noah Dobson got here from two former gamers representing MSG, Butch Goring and Thomas Hickey.
“I love you being the person that’s asking that question because I think you’ve found yourself in a similar situation at different times in your career and you know how quick that can change,” Lamoriello stated after Goring requested in regards to the two forwards, who’ve mixed for simply two targets within the final 17 video games. “And when it changes, it goes the other direction. But they’re working at it. The quality of people they are, I have no doubt they’ll be there at the right time.”
A minimum of for Nelson, it modified fairly rapidly as he snapped a 17-game streak with out a objective within the Isles’ 4-0 win over the Golden Knights some eight hours later.
“Nice to see one go in for sure,” stated Nelson, who whipped in Mathew Barzal’s feed off the frenzy at 5:30 of the second. “It’s been a while. Thought our line had been good for a couple games so it’s nice to get rewarded. Even better with a big win. That’s a tough team to play against. Big win for us.”
Nelson all the time has been a streaky scorer, and the Islanders might actually use him proper now.
It’s crucial {that a} second straight win over the Knights will get become the season’s first three-game win streak in Utah on Saturday.
If the Isles are going to show Lamoriello proper and go on a run, it’s going to want to occur sooner relatively than later.
Nelson, whose scoring tempo has dropped off this season — the objective he potted Thursday was simply his eleventh of the 12 months on the midway level — figures to be a giant a part of the renaissance, ought to it happen.
“Nelly’s been all over it,” Anders Lee stated. “He’s been playing great hockey. He’s been setting up guys and his shot, for whatever reason, they haven’t gone in for him. But he’s been playing great hockey throughout this season. Great for him to get one going and a good-looking goal at that. Very happy for him.”
Simon Holmstrom (higher physique), Isaiah George (suspected concussion) and Semyon Varlamov (decrease physique) are all prone to rejoin the Islanders for apply after they return from Salt Lake Metropolis, Lamoriello stated. Hudson Fasching (higher physique) might achieve this in two weeks, however that’s topic to vary.
As for Mike Reilly (coronary heart surgical procedure), Lamoriello stated he’s nonetheless longing for a return this season, however as of now, Reilly remains to be not allowed to take contact.
