After playing a team-low 6:43 in Saturday’s loss to the Jets, Maxim Tsyplakov will be a healthy scratch when the Islanders wrap up their three-game homestand Thursday against Edmonton.
Kyle MacLean is expected to draw into the lineup for the first time this season as the fourth-line center, with Casey Cizikas shifting to the wing.
“Sometimes you make changes to make a change,” coach Patrick Roy said. “Kyle hasn’t played this year. We felt like it’s time for him to play. I think he’s gonna bring energy to the lineup, speed to the lineup. So sometimes you’re looking for those.
“Sippy has a few things we want him to clean up. We had a good conversation about it. That’s what I love about him. He’s gonna work hard at it and I’m sure he’ll be ready when he gets back.”
Tsyplakov, who was a healthy scratch twice last season, said he had a conversation with Roy and needs to focus on cleaning up the defensive side of his game and being more aggressive.
The Russian has yet to record a point this season, and even before Monday had minimal ice time, with fewer than 12 minutes in each of the first two games.
He said he was disappointed to be scratched, but he expects to be back in the lineup shortly.
“Just need to work on details,” Tsyplakov said. “It’s about tactics. D-zone, neutral zone, offensive zone. Just need a little bit [more].”
David Rittich will get his first start of the season in goal for the Islanders on Thursday. Roy said the plan is for Ilya Sorokin to start in Ottawa on Saturday.
Rittich played three preseason games, over which he stopped 49 of 57 shots for an .860 save percentage.
Ryan Pulock described the Islanders’ defensive issues as being related to small details rather than anything structural.
“I think there’s moments in the game where maybe you can be a little more aggressive with the puck and there’s moments in the game where you have to be more safe. Different spots on the ice where we have to protect each other more,” Pulock told The Post. “I think we’re not protecting underneath at times, which has cost us. It’s just a matter of little tweaks, little mindsets just to clear those areas up.”
Oilers defenseman Jake Walman is not expected to return from an upper-body injury in time to face the Islanders on Thursday.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
