Oliver Wahlstrom sustained an injury during Game 5 between the Islanders and Penguins and is listed as a gametime decision.

That means he might not play in Game 6 on Wednesday. Barry Trotz hinted that if Wahlstrom can’t go, Travis Zajac might get a chance to play, but he didn’t say on what line.

Zajac on the First Line

Travis Zajac played on the first line with Mat Barzal and Jordan Eberle after the Islanders acquired him before the trade deadline. His only goal since the trade came against the Boston Bruins when Mat Barzal made a nice pass from behind the net to find Zajac.

This adjustment could help spark the first line. Mat Barzal hasn’t scored in the 2021 playoffs, and Eberle’s only started to heat up in the last two games. Although Leo Komarov is a terrific penalty killer and is great on the forecheck, Zajac brings a little extra offense to the first line while Wahlstrom is out.

Zajac on the Third Line

Zajac can also play on the third line where Oliver Wahlstrom played before he left Monday’s game with an injury. He would play with Kyle Palmieri, whom he has chemistry with from New Jersey. Zajac also acts as a backup center for J-G Pageau in the event the prolific faceoff winner is thrown out of a draw.

However, this means that Leo Komarov stays on the first line. The first line wouldn’t get the offensive jolt they need, and Zajac plays a slower game than Oliver Wahlstrom. He also isn’t as good of a shooter as Wahlstrom is. Still, he might be better suited on the third-line role than on the first.

My Lineup

I think the Islanders need to create more scoring chances but can also use some veteran leadership in a clinching scenario in Game 6. I Zajac will play on the third line, but Leo Komarov will move down to the third line. Here’s my lineup:

Palmieri – Barzal – Eberle

Beauvillier – Nelson – Bailey

Komarov – Pageau – Zajac

Martin – Cizikas – Clutterbuck

Ben Baruch

Born and raised on Long Island. Isles fan since 2009. Studying journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park.