Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom a 'game-time decision' for Game 6

UNIONDALE, N.Y. – Officially, New York Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom is a “game-time decision” for Game 6 of his team’s first-round playoff series with the Penguins at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday.

Unofficially, it’s difficult to envision seeing him suit up less than 48 hours after he suffered a gruesome injury during Game 5, a 3-2 double-overtime win at PPG Paints Arena on Monday.

At 11:57 of the third period, Wahlstrom and Penguins defenseman Mike Matheson raced for a loose puck in the Penguins’ left corner. Matheson initiated contact planting his left shoulder into Wahlstrom’s right shoulder, sending Wahlstrom crashing awkwardly into the boards.

Upon landing, Wahlstrom’s right leg was pinned under his body. Additionally, his head jerked violently to the right.

After laying on the ice for several moments, Wahlstrom skated to the dressing room with assistance and did not return.

There was no penalty or supplemental discipline for Matheson.

Islanders coach Barry Trotz didn’t offer much of a remonstrance to the hit.

“There was a little bit of an objection from our bench,” Trotz said on Wednesday via video conference. “We felt that the puck was in the corner. But you see a lot of that, what we call taking the guy’s lane and reverse hits and all that. We had a little bit of a complaint. But it was sort of a battle. He got twisted up, he got sideways and went down. I just thought it was a little further from the puck than it should have been.

“But it’s happening really quick. I understand the non-call on that.”

The Islanders have not disclosed the nature of Wahlstrom’s injury (or injuries).

Matheson expressed concern for Wahlstrom’s well-being on Tuesday.

“Obviously, I hope he’s doing OK,” Matheson said. “I saw the replay after the game. It just looked like he got tangled up. I never want to see anybody getting hurt. From my perspective, going into that play, they have a hard forecheck. So there was a loose puck and I kind of just tried to play hard and gain position onto that puck. It just seemed like he got tangled up a little bit. I hope he’s doing OK.”

Should Wahlstrom indeed be scratched for Game 6, Trotz indicated forward Travis Zajac would replace him in the lineup.

A 15-year veteran, Zajac has been a healthy scratch for the first five games of the series.

Crosby’s numbers in faceoffs down

Through the first five games of the series, Sidney Crosby’s faceoff numbers have been sub-par, especially given his usual success in that area of the game.

Having won only 46 of the 111 draws he has taken, Crosby’s success rate of 41.4% is well below his regular season figure of 53.6% (676 of 1,262).

“Sid has times when he’s very effective in the faceoff circle and other times it’s a struggle,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “I don’t think he’s any different than any other center iceman. That’s probably somewhat of a normal circumstance. We’ve just got to work at it. We’ve talked about it as a team, just as a group, trying to bear down. It’s not always about the center icemen. Seven out of 10 of the draws land somewhere around the faceoff circle. So it’s the players that are on the flanks that have got to try to help win the loose pucks. It’s a collective effort off the draws. It’s not just the center icemen but that’s certainly an area where we’ve talked about trying to improve.

“We did (in Game 5). We were 52.5% which was a big improvement from (Game 4). That’s something that we’re trying to make sure we bear down and pay attention to the details.”

More fans on Long Island

Attendance at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum for Game 6 is expected to be increase with loosened capacity restrictions in regards to covid-19.

For Games 3 and 4 of the series, attendance was listed as 6,800. According to the Islanders, they can up that figure to 9,000 for Game 6. Full capacity for hockey listed as 13,900.

Even with less than half of the building filled, the atmosphere for Games 3 and 4 was chaotic and rollicking.

Each side appears eager to see that amplified for Game 6.

“Players love to play in an exciting environment,” Sullivan said. “The fans are such an important aspect of that, whether you’re playing at home or on the road. Our guys love playing in front of an energetic fan base and an energetic environment. It just makes the experience that much better for everyone.”

“(It’s) a special building obviously because of its history,” Trotz said. “The atmosphere is hard to replicate because of the quaintness of it and the passion of our fans. We’ve got to use every ounce of their good vibes, or whatever you want to call it, to get by this very good hockey team in Pittsburgh.”

Notes: The Penguins did not have a morning skate on Wednesday. The Islanders had an optional morning skate.

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