If Max Shabanov can keep up the strong performance he’s shown since coming back from an upper-body injury, two things are pretty much certain.
First, the Islanders made a savvy move last summer by securing Shabanov from the KHL, outpacing several other teams.
Second, Shabanov hasn’t stuck around on the fourth line for long; he has started two of the three games since his return.
For now, though, it would be unwise to take him off that fourth line, especially considering how well he played Thursday night.
The 25-year-old winger led the Islanders to a 5-0 win over Detroit on Friday, notching two goals and three points, capping off a stellar performance.
His immediate chemistry with Cal Richie has transformed the fourth line into a real asset. Before the season, there were questions about Shabanov’s physicality in the NHL, but he’s shown he’s not afraid to battle in tough spots and excel in corners and on the forecheck.
His puck-handling skills, which many already admired, were on full display with his second goal on Thursday, dazzling everyone with his stickhandling before slipping the puck past Red Wings netminder John Gibson.
“I feel good. I’m really excited about my game,” Shabanov said after the game, with Alexander Romanov acting as a last-minute translator. “I’m just so pumped my team won. Good night.”
Shabanov has played only nine games in the NHL so far, and it’s unlikely every outing will mirror Thursday’s.
Meanwhile, the Islanders’ other Russian addition, Max Tsyplakov, is currently sidelined after a rough rookie year, struggling to adapt and elevate his game in North America despite his evident talent.
Shabanov, too, will undoubtedly face challenges as he adjusts.
But at this moment, it’s evident that he, Richie, and Casey Cizikas are really complementing each other on the fourth line.
“As you saw, he played great tonight,” Ilya Sorokin remarked. “He should keep that up. Please play more pucks, I think. Just be confident every game.”
It’s not your typical fourth line; with both Shabanov and Richie leaning towards offensive play, it somehow works.
“He’s really smart,” Richie noted. “Always looking to make plays. He just knows where everyone is on the ice. That pass he made to me for a goal was unreal. And the three points he got tonight—well, later they revised it to two, but still, incredible.”
The boost in Richie’s performance can be attributed to his increasing time in the NHL, but Shabanov’s impact can’t be overlooked either.
“I’m getting the hang of it bit by bit,” Ritchie commented. “I think we’ve been playing well consistently. We just need some time to find our rhythm and be more aggressive. I feel our chemistry is improving, and we’re finally settling down.”
Cizikas contributed two assists as well and seemed to adapt easily to playing a line like this, which was notable.
“The three of us really understand each other, creating chances,” he stated. “These guys are talented; they read the game well. You can notice they pass and connect effortlessly. It seems like they’re making complicated plays look simple, by sticking to what they know.”
