By: Julia Simone | Follow me on Twitter / X @j_simone40
The Boston Bruins claimed 24-year-old Oliver Wahlstrom off waivers from the New York Islanders back on December 14th. The Portland, Maine native appeared in 27 games for the Islanders so far this season, registering two goals and two assists. Wahlstrom has played in 224 NHL career games posting 36 goals and 35 assists. He was selected 11th overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the Islanders.
The 6’2″ forward is a legend at TD Garden. He made an impression on Bruins’ fans back in 2009 after a video of him executing the “Michigan” on a breakaway went viral. He first slotted into the Bruins lineup on December 19th against the Edmonton Oilers. Wahlstrom, before the game, said, “It’s a dream play to play for the Bruins…it’s been nice to get to know these guys, and I’m super excited.” This marked the Bruin’s last game of a five-game road trip out west.
Head coach Joe Sacco gave Wahlstrom the nod to read the Bruins starting lineup in his first game with the club. He did not score a goal or tally an assist in that game, but he recorded two shots on goal and had about nine minutes of ice time. He was strong along the boards and played the puck well. The former New York Islander played on the third line alongside Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederic in his first game wearing the spoked B.
In his second game as a B, he played against the Buffalo Sabres. He was penalized late in the second period after he hooked Peyton Krebs. Wahlstrom had no shots on goal this game but posted about ten minutes of ice time. He played on the third line alongside Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederic again. The right winger was not as strong on the puck in this game and did not create much offense for the Bruins.
Wahlstrom’s third game as a Bruin was against the Washington Capitals. In this game before the holiday break, he recorded two shots on net and just around eight minutes of ice time. About 10 seconds into the third period, Wahlstrom hit Capital’s defenseman Martin Fehervary from behind, sending him into the boards. The new Bruin received a 5-minute major and a game misconduct for this hit. Fehervary was tended to by Capital’s trainers and helped off the ice.
The game was tied 1-1 going into the third period. The Bruins were able to kill off this 5-minute major. This gave the club the momentum to go on and win the game 4-1 at home, heading into the holiday break. This was a huge win for the Bruins as the Washington Capitals, at the time, were the best team in the Eastern Conference.
The Bruins faced the Columbus Blue Jackets after their holiday break to kick off a home-and-home series. In his fourth game as a Bruin, Wahlstrom posted one shot and about 14 minutes of ice time. The forwards’ ice time nearly doubled between this game and the previous game against the Capitals. He was strong on pucks and it seems as though he was skating better. The next night, Wahlstrom was a healthy scratch when the Columbus Blue Jackets came to Boston. Fabian Lysell was called up from Providence yesterday morning and made his NHL debut. He slotted into the third line alongside Coyle and Frederic, taking Wahlstrom’s spot in the lineup for this game.
Overall, Oliver Wahlstrom was a good pickup for the Bruins and could be a solid third or fourth-line player. It was not revealed why head coach Joe Sacco scratched Wahlstrom last night. With that in mind, Wahlstrom will need to find his game and register more shots on goal if he wants to be a difference-maker for the team. He also needs to try to stay out of the penalty box as much as possible. Wahlstrom and the Bruins will take on the Washington Capitals again on Tuesday afternoon for a New Year’s Eve matinee.
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