Photo Credit: Andy Gorel
Lindblom has had his fair share of ups and downs this season, and it appears things are starting to click for him. The difference between now and a few months ago, well he’s not buried on the fourth line anymore and now it’s paying a big dividends for the big club, although they continue to find a way to lose games lately, “We need everyone,” Lindblom said last night. “We need everyone to push and do their best each day.”
Lindblom has looked a little more like his self with board battling, and battling for pucks in general these past few months. It’s great to see him finally off from being buried on the fourth line, “Oskar was one of our best players tonight for sure, making plays,” Joel Farabee said about a month ago. “I think when he has his confidence you can see, that backhand spin-o-rama pass was pretty well classed and you know that’s the kind of play Oskar can make. When he’s going, he’s a huge part of this team.”
The 25-year-old in Lindblom has struggled with consistency, and being buried on the fourth line doesn’t help a player of his caliber. It doesn’t help for confidence purposes, he is too valuable to be on the fourth line. Following this outburst in points, to which he has registered nine points in the last 11 games played (3g,6a), Lindblom provides heart and he looks more like himself, “He’s playing well right now,” Claude Giroux said following a practice a few weeks ago. “He’s heavy on the puck, he’s winning battles. Oskar is a player that everyone loves to play with. He does all the right things and he’s strong on the puck so right now he’s playing some good hockey.”
His skating has improved from the beginning of the season, while his heart has remained the same. Lindblom just wants to win, and be able to help his teammates win the game at hand. He remains effective in puck management, and taking hits to make the play, or extending the play. This critical aspect of the game cannot be understated.
Finally, he’s producing again. For his efforts, Lindblom has registered eight goals and 10 assists in the last 29 games played. Moreover, he netted the lone goal last night and that gives him six points in his last seven games played (3g,3a). It really has to make himself feel good about the future. Lindblom’s effort it’s been there all season, however, it’s nice to see him reap some of the benefits from his hard work now.
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