Islanders JG Pageau is Heating Up

It was a slow start to the season for JG Pageau. Through the team's first 17 games he has just one goal and four points to his name. That's pretty uncharacteristic for Pageau as he's one of the better scoring third line centers in the game.

He put up 26 goals in 2020 and last year he had 14 in the shortened season (a pace of 21 goals over a full season). Sure, there were a ton of guys struggling so it wasn't just on him during the losing streak but he certainly didn't help his own cause at the start of the year.

Well, that's absolutely changed over the last five games. Over the last five games, he has points in four of them and now he's up to nine points (4 goals, 5 assists) on the season. He was instrumental in two goals in last night's 4-2 win, the first at UBS.

First, his play on the penalty kill is what sparker Zach Parise to get his first as an Islander.

What makes JG Pageau such a versatile piece is his ability to play almost anywhere in the lineup. Need him on the second line, well he did okay filling in for Brock Nelson in that role. Well, what about third line? He's one of the best two-way third liners in the sport, and is great at winning faceoffs. That checks another box. Oh yeah, he's also able to play on the power play and penalty kill too.

Oliver Wahlstrom would later find Pageau in the third period for the cherry on top fourth goal in the 4-2 win. The Parise - Pageau - Wahlstrom line was able to reunite last night and I thought they were good in their return.

Still, even with the goal scoring droughts that has been the Islanders best line by a mile. The Parise - Pageau - Wahlstrom version of line three has an expected goals for of 61.3 percent, a 57.1 goals for percentage, and a 49.7 corsi for percentage according to money puck.

If the goals start coming for Pageau and Parise now, like everyone originally expected, well than this could be a dangerous line for New York.

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