LOS ANGELES — A 12 months in the past, Kyle MacLean burst onto the Islanders scene like a supernova, taking part in with an vitality and verve that rejuvenated the fourth line for a late run into the playoffs.
12 months 2 for the 25-year-old has adopted a more durable course.
“I’m definitely still learning,” MacLean — who was within the lineup in opposition to the Kings after lacking Sunday’s loss to Anaheim with sickness — instructed The Submit earlier than the Islanders’ 4-1 loss to the Kings on Tuesday night time at Crypto.com Area. “I did get up last year, but this is my first full year from camp on. Maybe you can say that’s a little bit of it. Definitely don’t want an excuse or anything. I’ve still got a job to do. I have to perform.”
The post-Identification Line fourth line has confronted a lot rougher sledding than anticipated.
MacLean’s linemates have rotated on a near-constant foundation all season — essentially the most he’s performed with one mixture has been 13 video games — partly on account of accidents and partly as a result of no mixture has been notably efficient.
MacLean, who performed 9:06 within the loss, and Marc Gatcomb, who’ve made up two-thirds of the fourth line since Gatcomb’s mid-January call-up, are additionally each on a studying curve within the NHL.
“I think when you get called up for the first time, it’s not necessarily riding a high, but it’s sort of a different feeling,” MacLean stated. “Issues can’t go fallacious. You sort of have slightly extra adrenaline. And you may’t manufacture that. It’s the best way it’s for everyone after they’re first up.
“This year, it’s a little more — it’s different in the sense of it’s from camp on. Things aren’t gonna go well [at points]. You have to figure it out, make sure you don’t let those things affect you. Just gotta keep going.”
Pierre Engvall moved as much as the third line alongside Maxim Tsyplakov and Casey Cizikas, with Hudson Fasching going to the fourth line.
“I just hope that’s gonna bring the spark [Engvall] needs,” coach Patrick Roy stated. “I just hope that Pierre’s gonna play [inside] a little more, drive the net more, bring pucks to the net more, be more involved physically.”
If MacLean was unable to go Tuesday, the Islanders deliberate to go together with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen — this time with Adam Boqvist on protection as a substitute of taking part in up as a middle.
Ilya Sorokin was again in web for the Isles after Marcus Hogberg performed on Sunday in opposition to Anaheim.
