Islanders Win First Preseason Game 4-2 Against the Devils

NEWARK, NJ:  Hockey is back, everybody. The New York Islanders skated in their first game against an opponent since April, when they were dumped out of the playoffs by the Carolina Hurricanes. The Islanders took on the New Jersey Devils in the Prudential Center and came away with a 4-2 victory.

The game was Maxim Tsyplakov’s first in North America and goaltender Marcus Hogberg’s first since the 2020-21 season.

Tsyplakov wowed with a highlight-reel assist in the second period, redeeming himself after his shorthanded turnover ended up in the Islanders’ net.

Camden Thiesing scored the winning goal with a pretty coast-to-coast rush and a nifty wrist shot.

Jakub Skarek picked up the win during his half of the game, blanking the Devils.

Islanders Lines:

Holmstrom-Nelson-Palmieri

Lee-Pageau-Wahlstrom

Tsyplakov-MacLean-Gauthier

Jefferies-Thiesing-Maggio

Pelech-Pulock

Cholowski-Mayfield

Bolduc-Mitchell

Hogberg

Skarek

1st Period:

The first period opened up with Adam Pelech taking a holding penalty just 29 seconds into the game.

The Devils scored on the ensuing man advantage. Nico Hischier buried a shot from the middle of the slot with nothing Marcus Hogberg could do. The only reason the Devils even got the opportunity occurred because Tsyplakov, out on the PK, fumbling the puck on his first touch of the rubber in a game.

Bratt stole it and sent the pass to Hischier, who made no mistake.

After that, the Devils surged, but Hogberg stood tall. Eventually, the Islanders settled into the contest. Holmstrom stood out, showing a new strength and battle level, constantly winning puck battles and getting to the front of the net. He deflected multiple shots and had perhaps the best chance of the period after winning a battle in front, tipped a puck to himself, and fired, only to be denied by a glorious Jacob Markstrom save.

Tsyplakov also settled in, winning a battle and taking the puck from behind the Devils’ net to the outer hashes. Then, Tsyplakov hit an open Travis Mitchell, who slid it over to Bolduc, who rang iron with his shot.

The rest of the period went back and forth, with the Devils’ best line being Paul Cotter-Curtis Lazar-Nathan Bastian. The trio possessed a 7-to-1 scoring chance ratio in the first frame.

Goals:

NJD- Hischier (Bratt)

Shots: 11-8, NJD

2nd Period:

The Maxim Tsyplakov arrival. Mama Mia, what a pass he made to Julien Gauthier late in the second period to tie the game at two. Tsyplakov pump-faked a shot, then without even looking, slid it on a platter to Gauthier who made no mistake. If you didn’t see it live, go watch it right here:

https://x.com/islesmsgn/status/1838014093258637579?s=46

Before that, the Islanders came out hot to start the second period, garnering some looks, including a Kyle Palmieri shot that was denied. Eventually, the young kids (Maggio, Thiesing, Jefferies) in the Islanders lineup got caved in their zone for well over a minute while Hogberg worked overtime to keep the game level.

Off a rush, Oliver Wahlstrom made a nice play at the blue line and fed Anders Lee, who rifled home a wrister past Markstrom’s glove. Here’s the clip:

https://x.com/islesmsgn/status/1838009471534092619?s=46

Then, 32 seconds later, Bratt split Pelech and Pulock and scored on a breakaway. The goal was unlucky, seeing as the Islanders had their dump-in attempt blocked by the linesmen. Hischier corralled the free puck and sprung Bratt, who beat Hogberg five-hole.

Hogberg then exited the game after the goal, which came close to halfway through. He stopped 13/15 shots and looked strong. There was not much he could do about either goal that beat him. Jakub Skarek replaced him and denied the first six shots he saw.

The Islanders got their first powerplay of the game at that point but failed to score or generate any true chances.

In the later part of the period, the Islanders thrived. That eventually led to MacLean swiping the puck and springing Tsyplakov and Gauthier, ending the frame even at two goals apiece.

Goals:

NYI- Lee (Wahlstrom), Gauthier (Tsyplakov, MacLean)

NJD- Bratt (Hischier)

Shots: Period 2- 11-10 Islanders; Game- 21-19, NJD.

3rd Period:

Thiesing scored the winning goal 2:47 into the third period, using his speed and edge work to glide through Devils’ defenders before beating Nico Daws, who replaced Markstrom. It’s worth the watch:

https://x.com/nyislanders/status/1838021111520366769?s=46

After that, Roy’s group shut it down. They killed 57 seconds of a Travis Mitchell penalty before Colton White negated it with a penalty of his own.

Simon Holmstrom’s hard work was rewarded as he scored an empty netter from the neutral zone to finish the game off with five seconds left.

Skarek did not allow a goal in the 31:12 he played, stopping all 10 shots he faced.

Lockerroom Chats with Skarek, Tsyplakov:

Postgame, Jakub Skarek spoke exclusively with NYI Hockey Now about entering the game cold:

“Yeah, it’s never easy going into the net when the game is already underway. We had some tough, tough training in recent days. Maybe I had it a little bit easier than Magnus, not as many shots. But now we, and me personally, have something to build on throughout the season.”

It’s no secret to anyone who watched Bridgeport last year that Skarek struggled mightily. Talking to Skarek about that, he was very open about his and the team’s struggles:

“To be honest, it wasn’t that much fun to play because when you don’t win and when you’re not playing well, it’s never fun. But, you know, I had a good summer with my coaches. I feel like I did my best to come prepared as best as I could. It was also great to see my friends and family back home.”

Skarek went on to say he needs to improve but that he believes it’s going to come. He loves his goalie coaches, including the new-arrival Sergei Naumovs, and with a laugh, said this about him: “He worked with Ilya, so there’s not much to say about that.”

Tsyplakov also met with the media and discussed his first game in North America. He admitted to having jitters, especially before his first and second shifts. Though, Tsyplakov said it wasn’t hard to put it behind him. “(Look), it’s only two or three shifts (and I realized) it looks good, not too hard. Yeah, it’s ok. My body, my head, they’re good.”

Asked about his assist to Gauthier, Tsyplakov said simply and succinctly: “I know my plan.”

Tsyplakov knows who he is as a player, and his confidence is growing every minute he’s out there.

Roy Speaks:

After the game, Roy met with the media and fielded questions about the team and players. Beginning with Tsyplakov, Roy praised his game and his assist, calling it a “super nice play.” He also liked the way Tsyplakov protected the puck and his effort as a whole. Most importantly, Roy took the fall for Tsyplakov’s error on the penalty kill.

“The PK goal, it was my fault. I mean, he didn’t have a chance to practice any of it in our practice, so I’m sorry.”

Roy also quickly praised MacLean and Gauthier, highlighting the entire line’s efforts throughout the night. He said Gauthier has had a strong camp as a whole.

Roy loved Simon Holmstrom’s continued growth, particularly his work in one-on-one battles in front of the net and the corners, deflecting pucks, and all of it. He also noted one bigger thing for Holmstom that those plays can add for him:

“Not only (are those things) important, but I think it’s going to help his confidence. That’s what Simon needs. The more confident he is, the more energy he brings. We need that energy from him. He’s a good skater, so if he uses that to get to the front of the net and protect pucks, he will only get better and better.”

Roy praised the entire team: “I thought everybody played really well, including our goaltenders.”

Asked about Bolduc specifically, Roy said he, Cholowski, and Mitchell all played really well.

Roy closed his availability with this: “They’re taking advantage of their opportunity. That’s what we want.”