Islanders Oliver Wahlstrom shows he’s ready for more

It’s incredible to think that Oliver Wahlstrom is just a rookie. The soon-to-be 21-year-old has been a standout player for the New York Islanders during the regular season and now in the playoffs.

In four games the rookie has three points (1 goal and 2 helpers). In yesterday’s Game 4, Wahlstrom had a multi-point night with a goal and an assist. Both were direct results of what Wahlstrom does best: getting pucks on net.

But while Wahlstrom will get a lot of attention for his production, the kid is doing everything well, and that’s why he’s standing out and that he’ll be ready for more in 2021.

New York Islanders Oliver Wahlstrom making big impact in playoffs

On the offensive side of the game, there’s no secret as to why Wahlstrom is having so much success. There are non better shooters on the Islanders squad than the 2018 first-rounder. There’s no one on the Isles squad who can rip them as hard and as accurately as Oliver Wahlstrom.

Both of Oliver Wahlstrom’s points in Game 4 were a direct result of getting pucks on net. Sure, his goal actually came off of Teddy Blueger’s stick, but that’s how much power Walstrom got on that puck. Blueger didn’t hit the puck in the net, he just tried to corral the rebound off of Jarry and it bounced off his blade and into the net.

But look, Wahlstrom isn’t just popping up to rip pucks on the power play. The young man is getting right in the mix and playing a physical playoff game.

With eight hits in the series, Wahlstrom is ninth when it comes to throwing the body around for the Isles. If you count only forwards he’s fourth behind Leo Komarov, Cal Clutterbuck, Matt Martin, and Casey Cizikas. You know the usual suspects.

His physical play is getting under the Penguins skin. He’s drawn three penalties this series, co-leading the team with Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri. Sure, with four penalties taken, he’s still got to learn when to simmer down, but he’s a rookie.

This is his first taste of playoffs hockey and he’s clearly not scared by the moment.

Considering we were sure if he’d even make the team out of training camp this a very welcomed development in Wahlstrom’s career. We’ve already seen in this playoff run that Wahlstrom is clearly ready for more. He’s a third liner this year, but when he takes the ice for 2021 he’ll certainly be a top-six player for the Islanders.