Barely two minutes into the third period, in a situation where it was 1-1, Holmström struck. In a chaotic situation with his back to the opponents' goal, the Swede managed to snatch the puck, spin around, and send in a hard shot.
After another goal followed by an equalizer from Colorado, it was 3-2 with five minutes left to play. Then Holmström contributed with an assist when teammate Alexander Romanov made it 4-2. He then topped off the result with a one-handed goal in the opponents' empty net, after a race against Colorado defenseman Cale Makar across the ice.
Islanders coach Patrick Roy is lavish in his praise of the line where Holmström played.
They were fantastic. They were really good from start to finish, Simon scored two goals and (Jean-Gabriel) Pageau two assists, he says to reporters after the game.
This line is so reliable, when they're on the ice I feel very safe. I love their energy, intensity, the way they play, and how physical they are.
23-year-old Simon Holmström missed several matches earlier in January due to an injury.
He played very well before the injury and the only thing you think then is "I hope the injury doesn't slow him down", says Patrick Roy and adds:
It hasn't slowed him down at all.
