In Las Vegas, Lou Lamoriello, the Islanders’ general manager, had a chat with reporters discussing the team’s performance at the season’s midway point. He found it intriguing that questions regarding the recent struggles of Brock Nelson, Kyle Palmieri, and Noah Dobson came from two ex-players now working for MSG, Butch Goring and Thomas Hickey.

Responding to Goring’s query about the two forwards, who have only scored two goals in the last 17 games, Lamoriello appreciated the question coming from someone who had faced similar challenges in their playing days. He acknowledged how swiftly fortunes can change in hockey and expressed confidence in Nelson and Palmieri’s dedication to turning things around.

Nelson managed to break his goal drought of 17 games later that day in the Islanders’ 4-0 victory against the Golden Knights.

“Nice to see one go in for sure,” said Nelson, who whipped in Mathew Barzal’s feed off the rush at 5:30 of the second. “It’s been a while. Thought our line had been good for a couple games so it’s nice to get rewarded. Even better with a big win. That’s a tough team to play against. Big win for us.”

Nelson always has been a streaky scorer, and the Islanders could certainly use him right now.

It is imperative that a second straight win over the Knights gets turned into the season’s first three-game win streak in Utah on Saturday.

If the Isles are going to prove Lamoriello right and go on a run, it’s going to need to happen sooner rather than later.

Nelson, whose scoring pace has dropped off this season — the goal he potted Thursday was just his 11th of the year at the halfway point — figures to be a big part of the renaissance, should it occur.

“Nelly’s been all over it,” Anders Lee said. “He’s been playing great hockey. He’s been setting up guys and his shot, for whatever reason, they haven’t gone in for him. But he’s been playing great hockey throughout this season. Great for him to get one going and a good-looking goal at that. Very happy for him.”

Simon Holmstrom (upper body), Isaiah George (suspected concussion) and Semyon Varlamov (lower body) are all likely to rejoin the Islanders for practice when they return from Salt Lake City, Lamoriello said. Hudson Fasching (upper body) could do so in two weeks, but that is subject to change.

As for Mike Reilly (heart surgery), Lamoriello said he is still hopeful for a return this season, but as of now, Reilly is still not allowed to take contact.