JG Pageau is still goalless at the quarter mark of NY Islanders' season
We've reached the quarter mark of the NY Islanders season, and all but one regular roster player has scored a goal. JG Pageau's goalless drought is three days away from entering December, leaving everyone to wonder if he'll ever score again.
Pageau will obviously score again, but he's likely asking the same question himself, as he just can't get the puck to bounce the right way.
Over the weekend, Pageau was robbed by Carter Hart in the Isles voctory against the Philadelphia Flyers, as he had a gaping net in front of him but couldn't get enough on a bouncing puck to get the monkey off his back. Saturday night, he had a breakaway opportunity against the Ottawa Senators but was stoned by Anton Forsberg.
Pageau has registered 21 shots on goal this season, putting him on pace for just over 80 for the season. With barely over one shot per game, Pageau is well below last season's pace when he put 123 pucks on target in 70 games.
There's been a bit of a revolving door on Pageua's wings this season, as Oliver Wahlstrom, Anders Lee, Simon Holmstrom, and Julien Gauthier have all spent time flanking the Isles' third line (aside from in-game adjustments). Playing with different linemates every night has made it challenging to find chemistry in the offensive end, playing a significant part in Pageau's slow start to the season.
Wahlstrom and Lee have been Pageau's most consistent linemates recently, as the three-some seem to have been building some chemistry together. All three have had rough starts to the season and may have the opportunity to help each other get the ball rolling.
Pageau's next opportunity to snap this streak will come tomorrow night when the Isles visit the NJ Devils. He's had success against the Devils in the past, scoring eight goals in 32 games - his fifth-highest total against any team.