Maxim Tsyplakov Makes Islanders Debuts With Flair
The newcomer notched a point after an early setback; Islanders to hold full time National Anthem Singer tryouts on Monday.
NEWARK, NJ — For the first time in his hockey career, Maxim Tsyplakov suited up for an NHL game. No, it didn’t count, being that it was the New York Islanders’ first preseason game of the season. But for a hungry fan base, an intrigued Patrick Roy, and a semi-nervous Tsyplakov, this game meant a lot.
The 26-year-old’s start was a tad nightmarish, having been thrown on the penalty kill, leading to a costly turnover that led to the Devils’ opening dagger.
“It was my fault,” Roy said postgame about the penalty kill blunder. “He didn’t have a chance to practice in our practice, so going into the game there made it a little tougher on him. Maybe I should have waited a little bit before [putting him there], giving him at least some reps in practice before sending him out there.”
But, the night turned around for the newest No. 7.
He settled in alongside Kyle MacLean and Julien Gauthier, a line that had plenty of chances throughout the sixty-minute affair.
And at 17:05 of the second period, with the Islanders trailing 2-1, he left his mark.
On an odd-man rush, Tsyplakov tricked Devils’ defenseman Colton White and starting nemtinder Jacob Markstrom. He pulled back the puck in what everyone thought was an effort to shoot off the toe-drag move.
However, he no-look passed the puck to Gauthier, who tapped home the tying tally:
“I know what my plan [was],” Tsyplakov said postgame. “I need to look shoot, and the defenseman believed me, and I made the pass.”
Gauthier added, “He looked at me before we got to the blue line, and he did a great job selling the shot. It was a really nice pass by him.”
Tsyplakov finished the night with one assist, a shot on four attempts — one blocked — in 12:21 minutes (0:53 on PP, 0:22 on PK) with three giveaways and a takeaway.
“I thought he did well,” Roy said. “He made a super nice play on that goal, a nice assist on that second goal. But yeah, he played well. He protects the puck well. And I was very happy with this effort, and I was happy with the way he played.”
SUBSCRIPTION REMINDER:
For $5 a month or $50 for the year, subscribe to “The Elmonters,” and be prepared for every second of the Islanders season on, and off the ice!
We will be running a free trial for the first week of training camp, then most content will go behind a paywall.
The Elmonters newletter will be distributed every morning, Monday-Friday, and plenty more Rapid Rosner emails & alerts when there’s a story to break or a hot topic to discuss.
Of course, we will have many creative and cool contests with unique prizes along the way.
For an even better experience, please download The Elmonters Substack App, allowing you to receive new story or breaking news alerts.
Islanders Defeat Devils 4-2
NEWARK, N.J. -- The New York Islanders went into New Jersey and beat the Devils and Sheldon Keefe 4-2 in their first preseason game.
Here's how it happened:
While the Islanders were on the penalty kill -- it was our first look at their new system, a wedge flush under Tommy Albelin -- they allowed the opening goal at 2:18 of the first period.
Read the rest at The Hockey News.
More Islanders News
(Click Story to read)…
In Case You Missed It
Golden Knights' Robin Lehner makes statement after camp absence: Former Islanders goalie made statements regarding the future of his career
Scott Mayfield returns to the Islanders lineup: Islanders’ Scott Mayfield ready to go full tilt after recovering from ankle surgery
Islanders Community Events & Calendar:
TODAY!!!
The Islanders are Seeking a Full-Time National Anthem Singer for the 2024-25 Season.
OPEN AUDITIONS:
WHEN: Monday, September 23 from 6pm-8pm, registrations begins at 5:30pm
WHERE: Registration in UBS Arena’s Great Hall (main lobby)
WHO: Candidates must be able to attend all home games and be 21 years of age or older.
Tsyplakov looks like a very skilled, mature, and determined young man. He has the potential to really make a difference for the Islanders and his future. Roy knows a fantastic conditioned team will lesson the talent gap.