The fourth row of islanders has experienced ocean changes since Max Tseplakov joined Kyle MacLean and Mark Gatcom.
A 4-3 overtime loss to the flames on Saturday marked yet another game where the bottom trio was one of the better forward groups, with the fourth row taking on a pair of goals and driving for the majority of the night.
“They're playing well,” coach Patrick Roy said. “They play really well and they connect together. It was a great pass by Shippy in that first goal by Gatcom and another great play by Shippy in that rebound shot, Kyle put it in.
“And that line gives us the flexibility to roll four lines and make everyone fresh. It's fun to watch them play because they work so hard. They finish their checks, play defensively, play a simple game. It's perfect.”
The islanders have struggled for much of the year to find a combination that could control the game just like the fourth line, but Tsyplakov, the top sixer for most of the season, changed the equation.
The great Russian ability to hold and create the pack opened the game for his linemates, allowing them to launch ice, play physical games and get some chances.
The long-standing trademarked by Matt Martin, Casey Scizicas and Cal Clutterback are not exactly the same chaos-inducing game.
But it's working now.
Line 4 has consistently strong performances in five games since Tsyplakov was placed there, spotting Calgary 9-4 on the ice on Saturday.
Not so coincidental, the islanders are striped from five games.
“He's good at owning the puck. He's good at cooking it too,” MacLean said of Tsyplakov after scoring a late goal to give the island a lead that can't stick. “Gatt, he was a straight line player. He hits for Max and creates some space. I think we're playing the physical game pretty well.”
Marcus Hogberg started online for the islanders for the first time since March 9th, stopping 31 shots.
Alexander Romanov Scott Mayfield has returned from the illness that comes out of the lineup as a healthy scratch. Romanov skated 19:33 and scored two hits.
“It's difficult to come back because of illness,” Roy said. “I thought he was fine.”
Saturday marked Beaubat's 800th NHL game.
