MONTREAL — Jean-Gabriel Pageau was again within the Islanders lineup on Tuesday, however in the intervening time, Simon Holmstrom has efficiently Wally Pipped Pageau out of a top-line function.
Two straight two-goal video games for a participant who had by no means executed such a factor within the NHL will try this.
Holmstrom stayed up with Anders Lee and Bo Horvat, whereas Pageau centered a newly constructed third line with Kyle MacLean and Oliver Wahlstrom on both aspect because the Islanders misplaced to the Canadiens, 2-1, in additional time on Nick Suzuki’s winner.
After lacking the final two video games with a lower-body damage, Pageau stated there have been no worries about re-aggravating it.
“That’s why I sat a couple games, just to make sure it’s not getting worse,” Pageau stated earlier than skating 14:28, the least ice time he’s seen since mid-October. “Sometimes it’s almost mental, too. Your brain’s telling you you can’t go, it would’ve gotten worse. And now I’m feeling good to go. It’s not in my head. I’m not worried about it.”
Tuesday’s match in opposition to the Canadiens marked the primary time MacLean and Pageau had ever performed collectively on a line, and the primary time Pageau had been with Wahlstrom since Feb. 24 of final season.
For MacLean and Wahlstrom, who’ve nearly solely performed on the fourth line this season and who’ve struggled to contribute offensively, it additionally represented a chance for use in a barely totally different function.
“He’s a really smart player,” MacLean advised The Put up of Pageau. “He does a lot of little things really well. A lot of details. He’s got a really good stick. Smart with the puck, so just playing with him and reading off him, him reading off us. Hopefully it clicks and we’ll be able to create some chances and be effective.”
After seeing his lowest ice time since 2022-23 on Saturday and sitting late within the 3-0 win over Buffalo, Noah Dobson’s taking part in time was again to regular as he skated 24:40.
If Holmstrom continues to mesh with Lee and Horvat, coach Patrick Roy stated Monday that Pageau might play with Mat Barzal and Anthony Duclair as soon as the injured pair returns.
Grant Hutton rejoined the lineup on the third protection pair, with Dennis Cholowski turning into a wholesome scratch.
After lacking Monday’s observe with a lower-body damage, Semyon Varlamov traveled to Montreal and backed up Ilya Sorokin in nets.
