Maxim Tsyplakov Shows Off Screen Skills In Islanders Latest Pre-Season Win
Tsyplakov brings a unique but vital net-front presence to the Islanders' top power-play unit. He, a few teammates, and head coach Patrick Roy discussed just that following Monday's victory.
ELMONT, NY — On Monday night against the Philadelphia Flyers, Maxim Tsyplakov made his top-six debut, skating alongside Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri.
The trio played 10:16 minutes as a line. Palmieri scored the game-winning goal with under a minute to play, as Scott Mayfield found him after a line change.
Despite not recording a point, Tsyplakov was noticeable throughout the night.
His vision, hockey IQ, and willingness to wait rather than rush plays made him a standout from start to finish.
But where he truly stood out was on the power play, right in front of the Flyers crease, with the top unit.
On Mathew Barzal’s opening goal, a power-play goal which came at 18:43 of the first, it was Tsyplakov’s impeccable screen job that disallowed Flyers netminder Ivan Fedotov to track the high slot shot:
Tsyplakov doesn’t just stand in Fedotov’s way but does something we are going to coin, “the scarecrow.” Here’s a better video taken on the team’s next power play:
After the game, I asked Tsyplakov about it.
“It’s something I’ve always done,” Tsyplakov shared with a laugh. “It’s more of a high screen, and Barzy made a great shot.”
When you are facing a goalie who stands at 6’8, high screens are not just important but vital, especially in today’s NHL.
“I don’t think the guys on the ice, minus Barzy, noticed Tsyplakov’s screen in front,” Kyle Palmieri said. “He was finding a way to try and make Fedotov look around him, and Barzy took a good shot there, so that was definitely good.”
“I don’t think he gets a point, but Tsyplakov’s screen was a huge part in that Barzy goal,” Noah Dobson added. “Tsyplakov is obviously a big man and the goalie didn’t see a thing. That’s going to be key for us when things get stagnant on the power play. When that happens, we really just need to funnel pucks to the front of the net with a screen because that’s dangerous. It was a good play by Barzy to recognize that.”
Islanders head coach Patrick Roy added, “We need a guy like this in front of the net with a net presence, and I thought he did a good job tonight.”
Tsyplakov said playing with Nelson and Palmieri was hard to get into a rhythm with all the special teams, but they settled in.
“We didn’t get many shifts together early, but we communicated a little bit, and the third period was much better,” Tsyplakov said. “I’m not worried. It was a good first game with those guys.”
Islanders Recover, Beat Flyers 4-3 After Palmieri's Final Minute Goal
EAST MEADOW, NY — After blowing a 3-1 lead, the New York Islanders recovered to beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 thanks to a last-minute goal by Kyle Palmieri.
He scored with 51 seconds to play in the third period off a tremendous pass by Scott Mayfield.
Read the game summary at The Hockey News.
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#7 very patient with the puck! Thanks for the write-up gents.
Lou, found a talented winger in Tsyplakov. Love the fact a message was sent to entire team, play well and with effort or take a seat and watch.