Oliver Wahlstrom has been playing well enough to earn a spot on the Islanders’ lineup in the playoffs since he made his season debut on Jan. 28, 2021. Wahlstrom had an outstanding rookie season, playing 44 games and recording 21 points (12-9–21).

Rookie Season

Wahlstrom stood out among NHL rookies and Islanders players. He finished top 10 in rookie scoring and top 15 in rookie points during the regular season. Wahlstrom was also one of the best players on the Islanders’ power play. He scored four power-play goals which were the third-most on the team, and 10 power-play points, which were second-most. Trotz also trusted Wahlstrom enough to send him out during shootouts, and he scored the winning goal on March 14 against the New Jersey Devils.

Many fans also love the fact that Wahlstrom is a physical player. He got into a fight with Oskar Lindblom on March 20 in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Wahlstrom also recorded 57 hits throughout the regular season (the tenth-most on the team).

Wahlstrom was a great player throughout the regular season. He was one of the best goal scorers on the team, an amazing asset on the power play and he played a physical game. The Islanders would most likely not have clinched a playoff spot if it were not for offensive powerhouse Oliver Wahlstrom.

Two games into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Oliver Wahlstrom is proving why he should be in the lineup every night.

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Game 1

Wahlstrom played great in the first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs when the Islanders beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 in overtime. Wahlstrom’s linemates (Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Kyle Palmieri) scored three of the four goals, including the game-winner in overtime. Wahlstrom had two shots on goal, one assist and a was a +2. He was on the ice for 19:07, only one minute and 15 seconds less than Mat Barzal.

“I thought he was, Wahly was really strong. I mean he was really strong on the walls. He was, for the most part, on the right side of the puck,” Barry Trotz said in an interview after Game 1. “I thought he had real good calmness for a young guy. He wasn’t small in the big moments if you will. I thought he rose to the big moments. When it, you know got a little bit chaotic, he didn’t get running around, he got in position, he did what he needed to do in terms of his responsibilities. He looked pretty calm. So, hopefully, he can carry that forward. That’s a first good step for him.”

Trotz complimenting Wahlstrom’s performance in Game 1 is huge. Trotz has extremely high standards for his rookies and does not hesitate to bench them after a bad game. Wahlstrom has the potential to be a sensational player, but he won’t be able to improve from the bench. Therefore, it’s important that Wahlstrom stays focused and plays his game so that he can impress Trotz and stay in the lineup.

Game 2

Unfortunately, Wahlstrom didn’t have the same success in Game 2 that he had in Game 1. The rookie took three minor penalties (one for tripping and two for roughing) in the second period. However, the penalties looked like weak calls. The tripping penalty was not blatant and malicious. Wahlstrom was falling and when his legs went into the air, it knocked down one of the Penguins. While this technically does count as tripping, Wahlstrom lost control of his legs and shouldn’t have been punished.

The two roughing penalties were nothing extreme either. Wahlstrom was just playing a physical game but ended up getting penalized for it. The hockey scrums that he was engaged in didn’t lead to fights. It was just some pushing and shoving and nobody got hurt.

Even though he spent six minutes in the penalty box, Wahlstrom still got three shots on goal. He also played only 19 seconds less than Jordan Eberle and 35 seconds more than Anthony Beauvillier. It was encouraging to see a rookie, especially one that took three penalties in one period, play that much in a playoff game. However, when you look at Wahlstrom’s stats and how much he contributes offensively, it’s no surprise that he gets as much playing time as he does.

Oliver Wahlstrom is a huge part of the New York Islanders’ success this year and has proven that he is worthy of being in the Islanders lineup during the playoffs.

Maisy Healy

I am a huge Islanders fan and love spreading my passion for the team here at Drive4Five.  Along with writing, I also co-manage the Drive4Five TikTok and Facebook accounts.