The sole, minor change in the Islanders’ configuration in the run-up to their opener Saturday against the Sabres has been switching Simon Holmstrom to the right and Mathew Barzal to the left — which both say is more comfortable — on either side of Bo Horvat.
When the Islanders hit the ice, though, the difference for Holmstrom will be less in what side he lines up on and more in who he is lining up with, and by extension what kind of faith the organization is showing in him.
After he spent last season plugging holes wherever the Islanders needed — usually on the bottom six — Holmstrom was given a shot to win a top-line job in camp and took the opportunity.
Acclamations about Holmstrom’s offensive ability went unfulfilled in the bottom six, and sometimes sounded as if they were said about a different player entirely.
Now, with Barzal and Horvat alongside him, Holmstrom will have every chance to make the words reality.
“I’m not trying to think about it too much,” Holmstrom told The Post, asked about his progress from a year ago. “I just want to go out there and show what I can do and help the team as much as I can. But of course, it helps the confidence a little bit.”
Holmstrom, still somehow the last first-round pick made by the organization, in the 2019 NHL Draft, is said to have a strong shot.
Scouting reports at his draft highlighted the offensive part of his game.
Coach Lane Lambert on Friday brought up his net-front presence, which helped him score a goal in the preseason but rarely showed up last year.
“That’s an important part for him to be,” Lambert said. “I think what we’ve seen in training camp here is his ability to make plays and work with those guys. Just play that game and be responsible defensively.”
We know that two-way responsibility comes easy to Holmstrom.
The rest is a little more of a question, but playing with two of the most offensively skilled players on the roster shouldn’t hurt.
“I think it definitely helps, of course,” Holmstrom said. “They’re super skilled. They can make plays. Just want to go out there and play.”
Alexander Romanov briefly exited practice Friday after he blocked a shot during a power-play drill.
He quickly returned and Lambert said there is no concern about the defenseman.
The Islanders are 1-3-1 in openers against the Sabres, all five games being in Buffalo.
If the Islanders win, it would be their first victory at home to start the season since the shortened 1994-95 season.