Max Tsyplakov, the Islanders’ rookie KHL import, shines in his NHL debut

DALLAS – Max Tsyplakov didn’t take a rookie lap before his NHL debut Thursday night, and he didn’t look much like a rookie early in the game either.

The 26-year-old had impressed throughout preseason after arriving from the KHL, but the question of how quickly he would adapt to NHL play remained open until opening night.

Tsyplakov responded by scoring one goal, scoring six times, playing more minutes than any other Islanders forward except Mathew Barzal and playing an all-around solid game as the Isles lost 5-4 to Utah HC.

There were a number of reasons for concern in this game, where none of the special units impressed and the Islanders looked disjointed for long stretches of five-on-five play.

However, Tsyplakov seemed to become more comfortable with his teammates as the evening progressed and was able to count the evening as a success, a key advantage for the Islanders, who are counting on him to be an important contributor right from the start.

“I try to fight, lots of hits,” Tsyplakov said. “And I feel good. It’s all ok.”

Tsyplakov’s goal on the rush, which gave the Islanders a 4-3 lead with 2:07 left, was supposed to be the game’s opener for a minute.

Instead, the Islanders quickly allowed Josh Doan’s equalizer and lost in overtime, turning what would have been a game-winning goal from their debutant into an afterthought amid the rubble.

Still, the goal itself was a play that showed Tsyplakov’s maturity, as he dived behind the rush to take Brock Nelson’s shot before showing a quick lead and beating Connor Ingram.

“Sometimes we saw ourselves going into the zone, backing off and looking for the third man,” Anthony Duclair said. “Making those little plays that make you feel like he’s played in the NHL before. I’m looking forward to a really good season from him.”

Tsyplakov was one of the most impressive players during camp and the preseason, playing his way into the second line after Roy moved him lower in the lineup early in camp.

This was further proof that he belongs there and that Tsyplakov is a rookie in name only – with years of professional experience in Russia serving as a valuable foundation.

The Islanders are betting heavily on Tsyplakov’s ability to stay on the second line alongside Nelson and Kyle Palmieri on the left wing, who was rotated through a number of unsatisfactory options in the second half of last season.

Pierre Engvall, the player who spent the most time there in 2023-24, is currently playing in the AHL after failing to make the team out of camp.

Nobody expects Tsyplakov to be perfect right away, and there were moments Thursday — notably a long shift in the defensive zone that eventually led to Barrett Hayton’s second-period goal — when the trio struggled to get on the same page in the breakout zone .

Overall, however, everyone was pleased with the unit’s debut and especially with the way Tsyplakov exonerated himself from it.

“I thought he had a strong game,” coach Patrick Roy said. “I was happy that he scored that goal. He was really good. He played the same way he did in the last two exhibition games. Played with this attitude. Overall I was very satisfied.”

On an evening where the outcome dripped with unsettling familiarity, this was something different – ​​and in a good way.

“I think we all saw it in the preseason and tonight how (Tsyplakov) slows the game down. He has an extremely good hockey IQ,” said Jean-Gabriel Pageau. “You can see that he made a lot of good plays with the puck tonight and also got some good results without the puck. So he was instrumental in us getting a point tonight.”