Now that Jean-Gabriel Pageau is back, the Islanders have 12 games left to both secure a playoff spot and to figure out how they should line up if they secure a date against the Bruins, Hurricanes or Devils in the first round.

The first of those is unlikely to happen if the second cannot be figured out, and do you know who would go a long way toward ameliorating the latter? Oliver Wahlstrom, that’s who.

Given that Wahlstrom is not thought to be anywhere near a return after sustaining a serious lower-body injury on Dec. 27 against Pittsburgh — the only time we’ve seen him since was with a massive brace in the press box, after which Lane Lambert gave a non-answer on the subject of whether Wahlstrom would return this season — this is not a realistic solution for the moment.

It is, though, a possible solution for next season, as the Islanders will need to gear their limited offseason resources toward adding a defenseman rather than upgrading the forward group.