Holmstrom Helping Out

Simon Holmstrom is starting to feel more confident and comfortable as his first NHL recall goes on.
That was clear in a pair of plays on Saturday night, headlined by his first-career NHL goal. The 2019 first-round pick made a nifty backhand move on all-star defenseman Alex Pietrangelo giving himself an open shooting lane in the slot where he cleanly beat Logan Thompson five-hole.

The other play was a little more subtle, a solid puck protection in the corner before outmuscling and spinning off William Karlsson in the second period.
"It's getting better and better," Holmstrom said about growing confidence. "I mean, you're just trying to make the right plays at the right time. And now we're just trying to keep that going."

Head Coach Lane Lambert reciprocated that confidence by putting the 21-year-old out for a pair of shifts with under five minutes to play and the Islanders looking to protect a one-goal lead.
"He's been a very responsible player in Bridgeport," Lambert said. "That's a role that he plays there. There's no reason why he can't play that same role here."
Holmstrom now has two points (1G, 1A) in 11 games since being recalled on Nov. 23. His first point came in his second game, banking a puck off the boards in the Islanders defensive zone with a Columbus Blue Jacket bearing down on him, lending some credence to the reports of poised play in Bridgeport.
Through 11 games, Holmstrom's been on the ice for 22 high danger chances for, compared to 14 against at five-on-five. He's got seven takeaways compared to three giveaways at five-on-five, so he hasn't been careless with the puck.

The rookie has played up and down the Islanders lineup since joining the team, but has spent a healthy amount of time playing veterans Zach Parise and JG Pageau. All three players teamed up for Holmstrom's first goal, with Pageau blocking a Vegas clearing attempt at the blue line and Parise quickly feeding him the puck in the high slot. Parise made sure to snatch the first goal puck so Holmstrom could have a souvenir.
"He's played some really good hockey and had some good looks," Parise said. "We've all been there getting our first one in the league and the team was really excited for him. And it's good to see him get rewarded."
While Holmstrom's career is still in its infancy, Parise said he's already seen some growth throughout his first taste of the NHL. Parise said the soft-spoken Swede is getting more comfortable in the room, asking more questions of his veteran linemates and teammates.

"He's played pretty much all over the lineup and fit in really well," Parise said. "He's been put in some pretty important situations, end of the game, a lot of D zone draws and he's responded really well."
There's still plenty for Holmstrom, who spent the past three seasons playing Bridgeport, to learn at the NHL level and his spot in the lineup will still be determined by the health of injured players like Kyle Palmieri (DTD, upper body injury). But for now, Holmstrom is enjoying the chance, soaking in milestones like his first goal and just looking to help the team.
"I'm just trying to do my best," Holmstrom said.