When the New York Islanders traded for J.G. Pageau back at the February trade deadline, there was a general feeling among the team’s fan base he was going to be a welcomed addition.
Pageau was going to be that missing link. That third-line center, the team had been lacking all season. That two-way player can be put in any situation. And that impact guy in the bottom-six.
But I’m not sure anyone could have imagined just six months later just how much Pageau has embraced being a member of the organization and how much Isles fans have come to adore him so far.
This qualifying series has truly become Pageau’s coming out party.
Now sure, he did have his “welcome to the Islanders” moment in his first game against the Rangers, where he scored his first goal and fought Jacob Trouba after he leveled Michael Dal Colle. But these first two games against the Panthers, Pageau has been everything the organization envisioned he would be.
The first game on Saturday — a 2-1 Isles win — witnessed the Ottawa native score the opening goal of the series for the Isles and be a menace in the faceoff circle, winning 80% of the draws he took.
After the victory, Pageau was quoted saying, “I feel very lucky to be a part of this family. I really feel like this is a brotherhood, and to be a part of it, I feel very lucky.”
If that wasn’t enough for fans to fall in love with him, what he did Tuesday in the team’s 4-2 win in game two over the Florida Panthers might have been what took it over the top. Pageau would again add to his growing legend with another memorable moment.
As the second period wound down and the Islanders up by two, there was a scrum that took place after the play while the Panthers were on the power play. Right in the middle of it was Pageau. And who was he going at it with? None other than 6’7 Brian Boyle.
When the fracas began to break up, there was a 5’10 Pageau was staring down Boyle. Out of nowhere, Pageau made the hilarious notion of fake wanting to fight him, trying to get the big man to flinch. Boyle didn’t flinch, but he did retaliate to Pageau, who could be seen laughing. Even the Isles broadcasters on MSG — Brendan Burke and Butch Goring — couldn’t help but chuckle as they saw on the replay some of Pageau’s antics.
Meanwhile, the clip of him clowning Boyle spread like wildfire on social media, and Isles fans went bananas for it.
J.G. Pageau ??? pic.twitter.com/hJTZpzF2Vx
— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) August 4, 2020
They loved every second of it. And why not? Pageau getting into the head of Boyle — who has been a nemesis for the organization over the years from his time with the Rangers, Lightning, and Devils — was exactly the kind of mental warfare you want to see.
Pageau, even in his short time with the franchise, has really brought another dynamic to this Islanders. It’s one that hopefully will continue deep into the postseason and for the foreseeable future. Signed for the next six years, he’s already showed some of the fruits of labor to his teammates, head coach Barry Trotz, and g.m. Lou Lamoriello. Most of all, though, he’s already become a big favorite amongst the Islanders faithful.
And that means he’s gained their admiration and respect.