After recording at least one shot on goal in each of his first 12 games this season, New York Islanders rookie forward Maxim Tsyplakov has gone without a shot on goal in five of his past 11 games.

Maxim Tsyplakov was the most coveted international free agent available in free agency last offseason, and he opted to sign with the New York Islanders.

He entered training camp without a secure roster spot, then progressed from a depth role to skating in the top six and on the second power-play unit.

Tsyplakov's NHL career started with a bang when he recorded a goal and three shots in 20:46 TOI in his debut on Oct. 10 against the Utah Hockey Club:

Since that game, he hasn’t come within two minutes of that ice time and has exceeded such a shot total once (Dec. 23 vs. Buffalo).

While he is up to 23 points (seven goals and 16 assists) through 49 games, he has not found the back of the net since Dec. 21 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Yet, none of this is to say Tsyplakov has not been playing well.

The 26-year-old is on a four-game point streak and has improved his discipline, recording just one minor penalty in his last 13 games since Dec. 29.

At even strength this season (min. 100 TOI), he ranks sixth among Islanders skaters in goals per 60 minutes (0.60), eighth in points per 60 minutes (1.81), third in rebounds created per 60 minutes (1.55), and fourth in expected goals per 60 minutes (0.83), according to Natural Stat Trick.

With Tsyplakov on the ice, the Islanders hold a 57.38% goals percentage (G%) and a 54.96% expected goals percentage (xG%), both among the top four forwards on the team.

While his production might seem like a byproduct of playing alongside veteran talents Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, Tsyplakov has actually been the driving force behind the line's success.

The line has a 55.56 G% and 57.34 xG%, yet Nelson and Palmieri -- without Tsyplakov -- hold just a 35.48 G% and 32.12 xG% as a duo.

Tsyplakov's drive, strength, and ability to generate rebounds offers head coach Patrick Roy a relentless power forward he can deploy on any line.

When Tsyplakov is on the ice, good things happen for the Islanders, and with Mathew Barzal out indefinitely, the Russian rookie will be in line for an elevated role.

While he has not been scoring at the same rate as earlier in the season, he should stick to his guns as the Islanders continue to benefit from his presence on the ice. 

It is only a matter of time before those assists start turning into goals.

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