Could Oliver Wahlstrom on the Top Line be the Answer for Isles Scoring Woes?

Since their 6-2 win in Montreal on Nov. 4, the New York Islanders have scored just four total goals over their last three contests. Something needs to change to get the offense going again and adding a goal-scorer like Oliver Wahlstrom to the top line may be the last hope.

Kyle Palmieri was given a six-year extension to be that consistent goal scorer, while Zach Parise was brought in to fill the final spot on the third line and add to an already deep offensive club. Right now both of them are still searching for their first goal of the season after 11 games.

Josh Bailey, who was moved to the top line as part of an attempt to shake up the lineup, has one goal.

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Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier only have three goals each. Brock Nelson only recently began to step up his game, which included a four-goal effort in the win over Montreal.

New York has scored a total of 22 goals at even strength this season, with Oliver Wahlstrom scoring three of them. He’s been a consistent threat, even if the goals have not come at the rate he would like.

Wahlstrom’s shoot-first mentality is the strongest on the roster and even though the puck has not gone in as of late, it is clear that the confidence in his shot has not waivered.

Head coach Barry Trotz focused heavily on keeping his lines intact a season ago when Anders Lee tore his ACL, slotting Leo Komarov in the top spot. This season, it is time for the first line to be New York’s most lethal line and Trotz has shown a bit more willingness to shuffle the lines.

Understandably, Trotz sheltered Wahlstrom on the third line last season. There were chances for him to play in the top-six, but Trotz wanted the youngster to learn what it meant to be a pro and what it meant to be a two-way forward in the National Hockey League.

Oliver Wahlstrom needed to earn Trotz’s trust, and it seems he has.

Last Sunday, Trotz used Wahlstrom as the extra-attacker in the loss to Minnesota. While that may look like a small move, that showcased a lot of faith in the 21-year old and should not go unnoticed.

At even strength, Wahlstrom sits third on the Islanders with a 15.79 shooting percentage, about a three-percent uptick from his rookie season (12.8 percent). His 16.31 shooting percentage on the season currently puts him in second place.

Wahlstrom has played some minutes alongside Barzal and Lee this season, but the sample size is so small it’s hard to make any judgements about how they’d look alongside each other full time. They’ve played a mere 5:22 at even strength.

The top line is missing a shooter, and Wahlstrom fits the mold to a tee. Not only that, they are missing a player that has the quickness in his shot like Wahlstrom has.

Wahlstrom wasting no time off the bench 😤 @NYIslanders pic.twitter.com/zRzVoFebxU

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) November 5, 2021

Bailey has always been a facilitator throughout his career. There’s no reason to have two puck-movers on the line, with Barzal’s position as the top-line center a lock.

If Wahlstrom does get the chance, it will not be enough to just create opportunities in the offensive zone. Execution will have to be the top priority, but with the team’s struggles so far, why not give Oliver Wahlstrom a shot?