Noah Pedrazzoli highlights the New York Islanders second line of Maxim Tsyplakov, Brock Nelson, and Kyle Palmieri.
Heading into this year, Pierre Engvall was penciled in at left wing to complement Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri until his demotion to Bridgeport at the beginning of the season. But thanks to the early returns on Maxim Tsyplakov, it looks like the second line has found its final piece.
Maxim Tsyplakov
With Maxim Tsyplakov, the top-six has found their missing ingredient: certainty. Tsyplakov is an aggressive, imposing power forward known for his unique skill set that brings stability to the second line.
He’s a swiss-army knife on the ice providing adept passing and puck management, excellent board work, and a blistering shot. His heady abilities compliment the high-scoring Palmieri and Nelson, as well as his new appointment on the first power play unit.
Tysplakov’s arrival in the top-six provides both youth AND experience. Tsyplakov may be only 26, but he is a seasoned veteran from the KHL where he was last year’s top scorer. His aggressive and multi-tooled style of play is a welcome sight for the new era of Patrick Roy hockey.
What a no-look feed from Maxim Tsyplakov to Kyle Palmieri 🙈 pic.twitter.com/4O4Un3IT97
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) November 2, 2024
Tsyplakov sets up Palmieri with a pretty feed
Kyle Palmieri
The Long Island native has maintained a consistent presence within the Islanders’ top-six. He’s played alongside numerous players such as Mat Barzal, Anders Lee, Oliver Wahlstrom, but gained a reliable partner in Nelson in recent seasons.
Nelson and Palmieri go together like peanut butter and jelly, you usually cannot have one without the other. The two are tied for the team lead in goals along with the rejuvenated Lee (seven as of this writing).
Last season, Palmieri had the best season of not just his Islanders tenure, but his career as he potted 30 goals for 54 points. With the addition of Tsyplakov, production should at least be as consistent, if not improved, compared to last year.
“Mr. Brocktober is a cornerstone of the New York Islanders offense and one of the team’s best players in both reality and fantasy.”
Brock Nelson
Mr. Brocktober is a cornerstone of the New York Islanders offense and one of the team’s best players in both reality and fantasy. Nelson might serve as the Islanders second line center, but could center a first line on a good number of other teams in the league lacking that crucial commodity.
Versatile and offensive-minded, Nelson contributes his powerful and smooth shot to the second line as well as the powerplay.
Nelson is on pace for his fourth straight 30-goal season showing no signs of slowing down at 33 years old. With Palmieri and Tsyplakov on his flanks, Nelson’s name should continue to remain towards the top of the Islanders scoring leaders.
Nelson scores stunning goal from one knee
Value to the Islanders
The line has seen an increase in deployment from Patrick Roy to carry the offense with injuries plaguing the roster. And it’s paid off with the trio currently among the Islanders top-five in points with Palmieri leading the team overall.
The significance of this second line and what they mean to the Islanders is absolute. They have put this team on their backs by wearing down opposing teams as they lead the charge offensively. Nelson’s scoring touch alongside Palmieri’s grinding toughness and Tsyplakov’s incredible hockey IQ, provide a sturdy foundation for the injury-riddled roster.
They may not be considered the top line on most depth charts, but this group of three is a top reason the New York Islanders find themselves fighting for a playoff spot.
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