Islanders Locker Room: Holmstrom’s 1st NHL Goal, Fasching’s Power Move

LAS VEGAS–The New York Islanders had NHL fill-ins step up on their way to a 5-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights Saturday night. Before being forced to leave the game late in the third, Semyon Varlamov was brilliant.

Islanders Win the Battle, Defeat Golden Knights 5-2 at The Fortress

Here are the locker room reactions:

Holmstrom’s First NHL Goal

New York Islanders rookie Simon Holmstrom was not supposed to be in the lineup Saturday night, but after Kyle Palmieri was forced to miss the game, he got thrown in there and took advantage of his minutes.

At 17:36 of the second period, Holmstrom scored the first NHL goal of his career, as he made a nifty move to cut to the slot before rifling one past Golden Knights netminder Logan Thompson:

Pager with the soccer play to keep it in and it's Holmstrom's first NHL 🚨 pic.twitter.com/CnNkbcrfJV

— Isles on MSGSN (@IslesMSGN) December 18, 2022

“It was just a great experience, something you dream of for a long time, and to get a win as well, it’s just unbelievable,” Holmstrom told NYI Hockey Now following the win.

It was a nifty kick by linemate Jean-Gabriel Pageau earlier in the play and Holmstrom read the play well.

“Just trying to read off [the play], and I saw the defenseman getting out on me, so I’m just trying to get shot off.”

When he scored the goal, his teammates went nuts, with Zach Parise jumping on him after collecting the milestone puck from the net.

“These teammates are unbelievable. Parise and Pageau have been great to me as well.”

Anders Lee provided us with Holmstrom’s nickname, as he spoke on the impressive goal.

“Homer, you know, his first of his career. It’s pretty special, especially when it’s that pretty,” Lee told NYI Hockey Now. “Great little move and a really heavy shot.”

Parise has been talking rather highly since training camp about Holmstrom’s game and he shared how cool it was to see him pot one.

“We’ve been talking about how well he’s been playing regardless. He’s been put in some pretty key situations for us. And I mean, that’s a real pretty one he got for his first one, you know what I mean?” Parise said.  “And we’ve all been there, we all remember those ones, and so, guys, we’re really happy for him. It was a great move.”

Fasching’s Stellar Goal

Hudson Fasching also was not supposed to play, but an injury to Cal Clutterbuck saw him slot in on the fourth line, a place he has looked rather comfortable.

And he scored a beauty early in the second period for his second goal as New York Islander, his second in four games with the club.

Just give it to Fasching and let him do the work😤

Isles lead 2-1 pic.twitter.com/YQZOW8JKaq

— Isles on MSGSN (@IslesMSGN) December 18, 2022

“Honestly I just kind of I was looking for late support, and I didn’t really see much to be honest,” Fasching said. “Numbers were not in our favor so I was like the best place [is] to just drive low, you know…worst case it goes to the corner. And then I think, you know, I kind of slipped by the guy.”

Linemate Casey Cizikas spoke on what Fasching brings on a nightly basis.

“Yeah, he brings energy, he plays hard, and he finds those areas, and he does things right out there,” Cizikas told NYI HockeY Now.  “And that’s what you kind of need. It’s not easy when he sat a few games and then come back in so you know he played well, and he made a hell of a move taking the puck to the net.”

Holmstrom also weighed in.

“I mean, he’s super strong on the puck and makes some really good plays. So I’m just very excited for him”

“Fasching’s come in in the last few weeks and he’s played some really good hockey and stepped up quite a bit,” Lee said.

Semyon Varlamov Play

It’s been a broken record this season, but New York Islanders netminder Semyon Varlamov was stellar against the Golden Knights. He stopped 36 of 38 before having to leave the game with 6:22 to go in the third, with head coach Lane Lambert not knowing why.

He made key saves left and right and his teammates spoke highly of his performance

“I mean, he was unbelievable and really kept us in the game there for a long time,” Holmstrom said.

“Huge, especially early,” Parise said about Varlamov.  “I remember they had a couple right on the doorstep and he made some really big saves and so you know, broken record but those guys have just been so good all year.”