NASHVILLE — On the day Alex Ovechkin outscored Wayne Gretzky, Ovechkin was outscored by … Marc Gatcomb?
Well, in a manner of speaking.
Gatcomb’s two goals did better Ovechkin’s one in Sunday’s 4-1 Islanders win over the Capitals, though the rookie was not exactly chirping over goals No. 7 and 8 of his career compared to the record 895 for Ovechkin.
“Probably gonna be the last time I’ll be able to say that,” Gatcomb said, when it was put to him that he had bettered Ovechkin over 60 minutes.
Thirty-three games into his NHL career, it’s a small attachment to history for Gatcomb, who notched his first multi-point game with the Islanders.
“Everyone dreams of playing in the NHL. Being a part of a moment like this and being able to contribute to a win for our team, especially two huge points for us, it’s cool,” he said. “It’s definitely something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Special day.”
Zooming out from Sunday’s game, the undrafted Gatcomb has put together an impressive stint on the fourth line since being called up in mid-January, reminiscent of what Kyle MacLean did in a similar situation a year ago.
With the Islanders hanging on by a thread in the playoff race — they woke up Monday seven points behind the Canadiens with a game in hand, essentially needing to beat the Predators on Tuesday just to keep a tiny mathematical chance intact — the focus has all but officially shifted to the future.
Gatcomb is putting forth a case to be part of that, displaying chemistry with MacLean that could make the Islanders comfortable keeping the duo intact as part of their fourth line next season.
“That line played really well. It was nice to see [Matt Martin] jumping with the two young guys. Kyle and him were playing really good hockey for us,” coach Patrick Roy said. “And they played over 10 minutes, which was good. Kind of gave us a chance to roll four lines.”
For much of the season, the fourth line was a problem spot for the Islanders, but over the past month or so, it has settled into something of a strength.
While the advanced numbers have lagged, indicating some degree of good luck is at play, MacLean and Gatcomb have developed a strong chemistry and the latter has scored eight times in just 33 games.
This is also the first full year in the league for MacLean, and Gatcomb’s debut season. So there’s plenty of room for both to develop further, and having each other as consistent linemates could help in that regard.
The Islanders, of course, are more than familiar with the virtue of having a fourth line that can be a weapon, and that is wholly comfortable playing with one another.
Assuming Gatcomb, a restricted free agent this summer, is brought back in some capacity, it’s not clear where he fits into a fully healthy Islanders organization, and one whose roster should look different after a summer in which they’ll have plenty of cap space to use up.
As a restricted free agent who would likely command only the league minimum salary, regardless of if Gatcomb comes into camp projected as an NHL player could depend less on him than on other moves the Islanders make and how it affects their organizational depth chart.
That does not, however, mean Gatcomb won’t have a chance to win a job in September.
A strong training camp, combined with the impression he’s currently making, could still do just that.
“I’m happy for him,” Roy said. “He’s taking advantage of his opportunity and he works hard every day. I’m very happy for him. Very proud of him as well.”