Hudson Fasching can solely snigger about it.
In any case, his lack of objective scoring this season just isn’t precisely for lack of possibilities.
Individually, Pure Stat Trick has credited him with six high-danger scoring possibilities in his previous two video games alone.
Since being placed on a line with Casey Cizikas and Pierre Engvall, the trio has been one of many Islanders’ most efficient.
And nonetheless, going into his thirty second sport of the season on Wednesday night time towards the Canucks, Fasching was one in every of simply three forwards within the NHL with over 30 video games performed this season and nil objectives.
“At some point, too, you have to just let go of it and laugh at yourself a little bit. It’s comical, almost, how many chances I’ve had and been unable to get them to go,” mentioned Fasching, who was again in for Wednesday’s 5-2 loss to Vancouver after lacking Monday’s loss to the Blue Jackets with sickness. “I just gotta try to not take it as seriously as I have been. Definitely was gripping the stick too tight there for a while. So I think just relaxing and trying to be as calm around the net as I can is my solution.”
As a backside six participant who has been out and in of the lineup all 12 months, nobody is anticipating Fasching to place up a haul of factors.
The 19 he scored in 2022-23, when he joined the Islanders as a call-up midyear, have been a profession excessive within the NHL, and the one time he’s scored greater than 5 objectives.
Fasching, who performed 18 shifts in 11:15 and didn’t rating within the Islanders’ loss, himself is aware of that higher than anybody. He additionally is aware of that zero is loads totally different than even three or 4, from a psychological standpoint if nothing else.
“I mean, it sucks. Let’s call a spade a spade here,” Fasching mentioned earlier than taking part in 18 shifts in 11:15 with out a level within the Islanders’ loss. “It’s not enjoyable. To go this far into the 12 months and never have a objective as a ahead is unquestionably difficult.
“But at the end of the day, I feel like I’ve played well throughout the rest of my game. I have to find solace with that a little bit. Have to relax and honestly, not think about it as much is probably the best solution, which is easier said than done at times. Just relax when I get a scoring chance and not be trying to grip my stick too tight and just enjoy every opportunity.”
Jean-Gabriel Pageau missed a few of the third interval after taking a puck to the face, however returned to complete the sport.
Coach Patrick Roy mentioned that so far as he knew, there was no communication between the NHL and the Islanders concerning the goalie interference name on the finish of regulation on Monday night time.
Adam Boqvist returned to being a wholesome scratch after Fasching was again within the lineup after recovering from the sickness that stored him out on Monday.
