PITTSBURGH — Barry Trotz’s simmering concern over Oliver Wahlstrom’s play came to a boil on Thursday when he scratched the young forward for the Islanders’ 6-3 loss to the Penguins, replacing him with Kieffer Bellows.
The move likely would have been made when the Islanders hosted the Penguins on Tuesday, but Bellows was ill that day, so Wahlstrom played briefly before getting benched after 8:27 of play.
Trotz said after the morning skate at PPG Paints Arena that he had watched film with Wahlstrom to go over things. Then he struck a supportive tone with reporters, citing the lengthy schedule for a 21-year-old who played nine regular-season games two seasons ago, 44 last season and 66 so far in 2021-22.
“A lot of times, it’s nothing physical,” the coach said. “It’s just a little bit of mental fatigue. Sometimes when you’re mentally a little bit tired, you’re not as sharp and you’re reacting just a little bit slower.
“Sometimes when you get into the long grind, you get pulled out of the lineup and hopefully you reset and you get just a little mental break and you’re sharp again.”
Wahlstrom watched the Penguins take a 2-0 first-period lead on goals by Kris Letang and Teddy Blueger, the latter coming on a breakaway when Brian Boyle found Blueger just after he left the penalty box.
Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin was making a second consecutive start for the first time since Feb. 27 and March 1.
The Islanders (34-30-9) were better in the second period, outshooting Pittsburgh, 19-5, and getting within one goal when Mathew Barzal made a gorgeous play to set up Zach Parise for an easy score at 5:51.
But Ross Johnston's turnover led to a 2-on-1 for Pittsburgh. Sidney Crosby set up Jake Guentzel, who made it 3-1 at 12:10.
Crosby scored at 10:44 of the third when he and Guentzel came in on Sorokin with no defenders nearby after another Islanders turnover.
Anders Lee made it 4-2 with 2:37 left, then Pittsburgh added an empty-netter by Brock McGinn and Zdeno Chara scored his first goal of the season with 1:08 left. Guentzel’s empty-netter completed the scoring.
The victory clinched a 16th consecutive playoff berth for the Penguins (43-22-11).
Many Islanders fans have been clamoring for more Wahlstrom since last season, given his youth, speed and offensive skill. Trotz is well aware of that, if for no other reason than the frequent questions about Wahlstrom from reporters.
But Trotz has been cautious in how and when he deploys him, citing growing pains.
Wahlstrom has 13 goals and 11 assists this season and has shown flashes, but after a poor outing against St. Louis on Saturday he appeared bound for the bench until Bellows’ illness changed the plan.
He has three goals and one assist since March 1, even with opportunities alongside the dynamic Barzal.
“He’s an instinctual player, and you’ve got to use your instincts,” Trotz said. “He’s got good hands. He’s a big body. He traditionally can score pretty good. But he’s trying to distribute rather than be that shooter. He’s trying to do stuff that is really not his strength.
“So it’s just trying to get that balance where when you have the puck, use your strengths. When you don’t have the puck, you have to rely on a little bit of your detail and your systematic play, because that’s really your security blanket as a player.
“If you just try to make up stuff on the go, especially without the puck, and guess, in this league you just get torn apart a little bit and it always ends up in the back of your net.”
The Islanders need the skill set — and youth — Wahlstrom can provide moving forward. Trotz just wants him to go about his business correctly.
“I think he’s going to be fine,” Trotz said. “But for some of the young guys, it becomes a long season. He’s not physically tired. He might just be a little bit mentally tired.”
