Jean-Gabriel Pageau of the New York Islanders against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Six at Nassau Coliseum on May 26, 2021. Credit: Jim McIsaac
It was an unscientific Twitter poll posted by a procrastinating hockey columnist on Wednesday afternoon, but the result was telling.
Question: Who is your favorite Islanders center?
Three of the options were popular, homegrown players, one of whom hours earlier had scored in overtime to win Game 2 of a second-round playoff series against the Bruins.
But Mathew Barzal, Casey Cizikas and Brock Nelson all trailed by a wide margin to Jean-Gabriel Pageau, a guy who was born, raised and played in the NHL in the Ottawa area until arriving on Long Island in a trade a mere 15 months ago.