Coach’s need for Swede paying early dividends

LOS ANGELES — The reason for putting together the line he dubbed as the Swedish Connection didn’t have much to do with the Swedish part of it for Islanders coach Patrick Roy. He just thought Pierre Engvall and Simon Holmstrom’s games would fit well together.

But maybe there is something in the fact that both grew up in the same hockey ecosystem, since their chemistry has been evident ever since they’ve been put on a line alongside Casey Cizikas.

“I think so,” Holmstrom said before the Islanders lost 3-0 to the Kings on Monday. “I think we think the game a little similar as well. With Casey on our line, we get that gritty guy who’s super hard on the forecheck and reliable in the D-zone. It’s been a good matchup for us.”

Holmstrom has not lit up the scoresheet over the six games he’d been with that line going into Monday, recording three assists during that span. But he has played a far more noticeable game in corners and below the hashes, and his chemistry with Engvall and Cizikas was near instant.

That was particularly evident in Sunday’s 6-1 win over the Ducks, when Holmstrom won a battle in the corner leading to Cizikas’ opening goal. Engvall would add a second goal for the line later in the third period.

“Him and Pierre have been clicking really well together,” Roy said of Holmstrom. “But yesterday, what a play he made on that first goal. Great forecheck, good pressure on their D and throw the puck in front of the net for Casey.

“I love his speed. I feel like more and more, his compete level is improving. That pleases me a lot.”

➤ Matt Martin was a late scratch against the Kings and declared day-to-day with a lowerbody injury. Hudson Fasching dressed and skated on the fourth line in his place.

➤ The Islanders saw old friend Jim Hiller, an assistant coach on

Barry Trotz’s staff from 2019-22, on Monday, as Hiller is now the interim head coach for the Kings.

“Jimmy’s a good guy. Loves the game,” Cal Clutterbuck said. “He’s got a good mind for hockey and he was a fun guy to be around. I think that, coupled with his passion and hockey knowledge, they’ve got a good one in him.”

The Kings came into Monday 9-5-1 since Hiller — a first-time head coach — took over for