DALLAS — Max Tsyplakov didn't take the rookie lap before his NHL debut Thursday night, but he didn't look much like a rookie once the game started.
The 26-year-old impressed throughout the preseason after arriving from the KHL, but questions remained heading into Opening Day as to how quickly he could adapt to the NHL game.
Tsyplakov scored a goal, had six hits, skated more minutes than any Islanders forward other than Matthew Barzal, and played an overall solid game in the Isles' 5-4 loss to Utah HC. I responded.
There were a lot of concerns in this game, with neither special teams performing well and the Islanders looking isolated for long stretches at 5-on-5.
However, Tsyplakov seemed to get more comfortable with his linemates as the night progressed, and the night could be considered a success. This was a huge plus for the Islanders, who expect him to become a key contributor right away.
“I'm trying to take a lot of hits and compete,” Tsiplakov said. “And I feel good. I'll be fine.”
Tsyplakov's goal off a rush that put the Islanders up 4-3 with 2:07 left was poised to be the star of the game for the entire minute.
Instead, the Islanders quickly conceded the tying goal to Josh Doan and lost in overtime, leaving what would have been the game-winning goal in his debut as an afterthought in the rubble.
Still, the goal itself was a play that showed the maturity of Tsyplakov, who lunged for a feed from Brock Nelson and then used a quick release to beat Connor Ingram.
“You could see him going into the zone, going back, looking for third-man high at times,” Anthony Duclair said. “When you make little plays like that, it feels like he's already played in the NHL. I'm looking forward to him having a really good season.”
Tsyplakov had the most impressive performance throughout camp and the preseason, playing in the second line after Roy started further down the lineup at the start of camp.
This was further proof that he belongs there and that Tsyplakov is actually a rookie in name only, with years of professional experience in Russia providing a valuable foundation.
The Islanders are betting big on Tsyplakov's ability to anchor the second line alongside Nelson and Kyle Palmieri at the left wing position, where they rotated through a number of unsatisfactory options late last season.
Pierre Engvall, the player who spent the most time there during the 2023-24 season, was unable to leave camp and is currently in the AHL.
No one expects Tsyplakov to be perfect right away, especially on Thursday when a long shift in the defensive zone ultimately led to Barrett Hayton's second-period goal, but the team's breakthrough At times it was difficult for the three of us to get on the same page. zone.
But overall, everyone felt positive about the unit's debut, especially how Tsyplakov was acquitted.
“I thought he had a strong game,” coach Patrick Roy said. “I was happy to see him score that goal. He was really good. He played the same way he played the last two exhibition games. He played with that attitude. I was very happy overall. ”
On a night dripping with familiarity that left me anxious about the outcome, this was something different, and in a good way.
“I think everyone saw that from the preseason and even tonight.” [Tsyplakov] Playback will be slower. He has a very good hockey IQ,” Jean-Gabriel Pageau said. “You saw him make a lot of good plays tonight, both with the puck and without the puck, making some good reads. That’s why we got the points tonight. His presence was huge.”
