NASHVILLE — On the day Alex Ovechkin outscored Wayne Gretzky, Ovechkin was outscored by … Marc Gatcomb?
Nicely, in a way of talking.
Gatcomb’s two targets did higher Ovechkin’s one in Sunday’s 4-1 Islanders win over the Capitals, although the rookie was not precisely chirping over targets No. 7 and eight of his profession in comparison with the document 895 for Ovechkin.
“Probably gonna be the last time I’ll be able to say that,” Gatcomb mentioned, when it was put to him that he had bettered Ovechkin over 60 minutes.
Thirty-three video games into his NHL profession, it’s a small attachment to historical past for Gatcomb, who notched his first multi-point recreation with the Islanders.
“Everyone dreams of playing in the NHL. Being a part of a moment like this and being able to contribute to a win for our team, especially two huge points for us, it’s cool,” he mentioned. “It’s definitely something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Special day.”
Zooming out from Sunday’s recreation, the undrafted Gatcomb has put collectively a formidable stint on the fourth line since being known as up in mid-January, harking back to what Kyle MacLean did in an identical state of affairs a 12 months in the past.
With the Islanders hanging on by a thread within the playoff race — they wakened Monday seven factors behind the Canadiens with a recreation in hand, basically needing to beat the Predators on Tuesday simply to maintain a tiny mathematical likelihood intact — the main target has all however formally shifted to the long run.
Gatcomb is placing forth a case to be a part of that, displaying chemistry with MacLean that would make the Islanders comfy protecting the duo intact as a part of their fourth line subsequent season.
“That line played really well. It was nice to see [Matt Martin] jumping with the two young guys. Kyle and him were playing really good hockey for us,” coach Patrick Roy mentioned. “And they played over 10 minutes, which was good. Kind of gave us a chance to roll four lines.”
For a lot of the season, the fourth line was an issue spot for the Islanders, however over the previous month or so, it has settled into one thing of a power.
Whereas the superior numbers have lagged, indicating a point of fine luck is at play, MacLean and Gatcomb have developed a robust chemistry and the latter has scored eight occasions in simply 33 video games.
That is additionally the primary full 12 months within the league for MacLean, and Gatcomb’s debut season. So there’s loads of room for each to develop additional, and having one another as constant linemates may assist in that regard.
The Islanders, after all, are greater than aware of the advantage of getting a fourth line that may be a weapon, and that’s wholly comfy taking part in with each other.
Assuming Gatcomb, a restricted free agent this summer season, is introduced again in some capability, it’s not clear the place he suits into a completely wholesome Islanders group, and one whose roster ought to look totally different after a summer season wherein they’ll have loads of cap house to make use of up.
As a restricted free agent who would seemingly command solely the league minimal wage, no matter if Gatcomb comes into camp projected as an NHL participant may rely much less on him than on different strikes the Islanders make and the way it impacts their organizational depth chart.
That doesn’t, nonetheless, imply Gatcomb gained’t have an opportunity to win a job in September.
A robust coaching camp, mixed with the impression he’s presently making, may nonetheless just do that.
“I’m happy for him,” Roy mentioned. “He’s taking advantage of his opportunity and he works hard every day. I’m very happy for him. Very proud of him as well.”
