The Islanders have struggled to score goals early in the 2025-26 season, outscored 7-13 in three games (0-3-0), and will attempt a shake-up, sending Tsyplakov to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old forward scored 35 points (10G / 25A) playing 77 games with the Islanders in his first NHL season in 2024-25.

New York and Maxim Tsyplakov avoided arbitration on Friday after they announced a two-year contract extension worth $4.5 million ($2.25 million AAV) for the Russian forward. The 26-year-old made his NHL debut last season after signing out of the KHL and succeeded in his first taste of the big leagues with 10 goals, 35 points, and 39 PIMs in 77 games played. He is expected to take on a bigger role in his second season with the Islanders in 2025-26.

Tsyplakov was a healthy scratch in the Islanders' previous contest but he will re-enter the lineup on Monday against the New York Rangers. The first-year NHLer is averaging 15:46 time-on-ice and has 25 points (7G / 18A) in 54 games this season.

Pierre Engvall will draw back into the Islanders lineup on Saturday against the Nashville Predators, sending Tsyplakov to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Tsyplakov is averaging 15:46 time-on-ice and has 25 points (7G / 18A) in 54 games this season.

Tsyplakov was not penalized after an illegal check to to the head of Philadelphia's Ryan Poehling but was issued a three-game suspension after a hearing with the Department of Player Safety. The 26-year-old Tsyplakov, in his first NHL season, is averaging 16:15 time-on-ice, scoring 19 points (7G / 12A) in 44 games. He's been held off the scoresheet in 10 straight. The Islanders went 3-0-0 in Tsyplakov's absence.

Tsyplakov was not penalized after an illegal check to to the head of Philadelphia's Ryan Poehling but was issued a three-game suspension after a hearing with the Department of Player Safety. The 26-year-old Tsyplakov, in his first NHL season, is averaging 16:15 time-on-ice, scoring 19 points (7G / 12A) in 44 games. He's been held off the scoresheet in 10 straight.

Tsyplakov just finished his seventh season with Spartak Moskva (KHL) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the New York Islanders with an AAV of $950,000. The 25-year-old undrafted free agent was a hot ticket on the free agent market this off-season after scoring 31 goals and 47 points in 65 games played with Spartak in 2023-24.