Struggling Islander finding himself scratched more often than not

MONTREAL — Nearly 40 years ago, it was Lane Lambert trying to work his way back into an NHL lineup after becoming a healthy scratch. 

So the Islanders’ coach can empathize with what Oliver Wahlstrom is going through. 

Going into Saturday’s 5-3 loss to the Canadiens, Wahlstrom had last played two weeks earlier in a win over the Panthers and had been scratched 11 times.

More worrying for the 23-year-old is that the Islanders had seemingly found their ideal forward combinations — which did not include him.

And on top of that, Wahlstrom came into this season very much needing to prove something in the last year of his contract, having missed the last four months of the 2022-23 campaign with a knee injury. 

“When he gets back in, he’s gotta play his game,” Lambert said ahead of the game in Montreal. “Up and down, he’s gotta shoot the puck, he’s gotta be physical. Right now we’re having some success and that’s just the way it is. But certainly there’s a long, long season and there’s a lot of opportunity left for Oliver, that’s for sure.” 

Lambert did offer an endorsement of Wahlstrom’s attitude through what has doubtless been a frustrating season thus far. 

“It’s not fun, it’s not easy, but he handles it very professionally,” Lambert said. “And all you can do is keep on going and get ready when you get your opportunity. And he’s done that.” 

In a six-game homestand when so much went right, the Islanders’ penalty-kill found itself right back at the fore for all the wrong reasons. 

After giving up power-play goals in four straight entering Saturday, including letting the Bruins go 3-for-3 in Boston’s comeback win Friday night, the Islanders were back at dead last in the league at four-on-five. 

“There’s a couple of situations that we could’ve done a better job in,” Lambert said. “Again, we have to find a way. Certainly have to find a way with three of our top four penalty killing defensemen out.” 

Noah Dobson, Robert Bortuzzo and Samuel Bolduc played on the penalty-kill against Boston — with Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield out of the lineup, which has become the norm. 

“It’s very difficult,” Lambert said. “Penalty killing is an art, it’s something you have to experience. It comes through time a little bit. Being thrown into the fire so to speak, it’s not easy, but guys are doing the best they can.” 

Bolduc, who hails from Laval, Quebec, skated in his first game at the Bell Centre on Saturday. 

“I can only imagine what he’s going through and what he’s thinking,” Lambert said.