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Senators Hometown Lad Jean-Gabriel Pageau Is Gold in Playoffs

Former Senators’ Jean-Gabriel Pageau was a trade-deadline pickup by the New York Islanders. How’s he playing for them in the playoffs?

I have no idea whether Jean-Gabriel Pageau wanted to stay with the Ottawa Senators or not. He was, after all, playing in his hometown of Ottawa. He also was finishing his ninth season with the Senators after being chosen during the fourth round (96th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. It had to be a comfortable, dream-come-true life for a youngster who grew up right where he played.

Although, given the Senators’ recent record and rebuild, perhaps he was excited by the possibility of playing in New York – one of the greatest and biggest cities in the world. Certainly, the Islanders hoped to have a chance to go deep into the playoffs, which is something that hadn’t happened recently with his Senators.

I can only think about myself in that situation; but, if I were in Pageau’s shoes, I would be feeling ambivalent – feeling good about some things, not so good about others.

That said, when you’re a professional hockey player and you get traded, you go. Then you lace up your skates and do your best wherever you land.

I’m a Senators’ fan, and that’s the topic I want to write about in this post – how well is the hometown Pageau doing with the team he was traded for – the New York Islanders? I’m rooting for him to land well and have a great postseason and career wherever he might play.

Related: Might Senators Be Talking Trade With Penguins For a Goaltender?

Upon Pageau’s Immediately Moving to the Islanders

Obviously, the Islanders wanted Pageau for more than a rental. Immediately after Pageau was traded to the Islanders by the Senators for three draft picks, he signed a new six-year contract at $5 million per season. He had to have felt wanted and he said as much.

At the time, Pageau noted, “I couldn’t be more excited just to go on a team that’s going to be competing every year for [a Stanley Cup Playoff berth] or for a championship. I couldn’t be more excited as a player. That’s what we play for, that’s what drives us. That’s why I’m excited to go and play for them.”

In early March, Pageau played against his former Senators teammates for the first time when the Islanders visited Ottawa. Although he didn’t find the score sheet, Pageau noted that there were “a lot of emotions.”

He also admitted prior to the game, “Going back to your hometown to play and dressing on the other side is going to be different, but it’s a new chapter now. My main focus is with this team and I want to win.” (from “After being moved to Long Island, Jean-Gabriel Pageau returns to face the Senators, Bruce Garrioch, Ottawa Sun, 05/03/20).

Although not scoring in Ottawa, Pageau did score two goals in four games with the Islanders after he was acquired at the trade deadline. Then, when the COVID-19 NHL suspension occurred, things were thrown into a turmoil.

Pageau Used His Time Off Wisely

Although no one would have hoped for a COVID-19 NHL shutdown, a number of injured NHL players utilized their time off well to heal a variety of assorted injuries and returned-to-play healthier than when the season was suspended. Although Pageau wasn’t injured, he certainly benefited from his time off caused by the suspension.

Specifically, because he was traded to the Islanders just prior to the trade deadline, he was only able to play seven games with his new team before the regular season halted. But, when the Islanders got together during Phase 2 and Phase 3, Pageau used his time with the team to practice and become more comfortable with his new teammates. At the same time, he had a chance to study and learn head coach Barry Trotz’s system. 

Trotz noted as much. Although perhaps not only speaking directly about Pageau, he noted: “Anybody who got traded at the deadline for any team in this tournament, I think they’re going to benefit from it.”

Trotz added: “I don’t think you’re yourself until you have a number of games and a training camp. I think this is the best thing, not only for Pag, but anybody who got traded during the deadline.” (from “Jean-Gabriel Pageau starting to mesh with Islanders teammates, Zach Braziller, New York Post, 19/07/20).

Pageau’s Play During the Postseason Playoffs

The Islanders have now advanced to round two of the Stanley Cup playoffs and stand one game away from reaching round three. That, frankly, is a surprise. To get to this point, they had to beat the Florida Panthers in their play-in round and then eliminate the Washington Capitals during round one.

During the play-in round, Pageau scored two goals. He opened the scoring in Game 1 of the Islanders’ qualifying series against the Panthers. Then, he scored again in Game 3. Against the Capitals, he scored a goal in the 3-2 Game 4 loss. Fortunately, other Islanders’ players were there to lead the team to a round one victory.

Against the Philadelphia Flyers, Pageau’s been more prolific. He scored a goal in the 4-0 Game 1 win. He then scored in the Game 2 overtime loss to the Flyers. After those goals, he had six goals during the postseason.

More recently, Pageau scored the tie-breaking goal in the third period of Game 4 when he broke in alone on Flyers goalie Brian Elliott. That goal led to a 3-2 Islanders win. That victory gave the Islanders a 3-1 series lead entering Game 5 tonight.

With another victory, the sixth-seeded Islanders will continue the team’s Cinderella story. Should they win, it would break the NHL’s longest conference finals drought. Pageau has been front in center in that story of an Islanders team few thought would get this far.

Related: What Should the Ottawa Senators Do With Their Draft Picks?

In Summary, How Has Pageau Played?

That’s a rhetorical question. He’s played really well and has done good. Ottawa should be proud of his play.

The 27-year-old center’s been a tremendous addition to the Islanders since the NHL’s restart. His totals are seven goals and nine points in 13 postseason games. As the New York Post noted today, “Pageau has been gold” for the Islanders during the playoffs. (from “Islanders have managed one of the unlikeliest playoff runs,” Howie Kussoy, New York Post, 01/09/20).

Pageau was a trade deadline pickup from the Senators that couldn’t have worked out better for New York. He’s given his new team some much-needed bottom-six scoring and has become a quality third-line center who can score. Specifically, he’s followed his 2019-20 regular-season record of 24 goals in 60 games with a great postseason for the Islanders.

As teammate Brock Nelson notes, “The payoff for getting him (Pageau) is obviously paying off right away. That’s a guy you can lean on in any situation really. He plays all three zones. He does it all. He’s a guy you appreciate and love to have on your team.”

Good for you, Jean-Gabriel Pageau. You have at least one Senators fan rooting for you – me!

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