Engvall has served as a healthy scratch the last two games.
EAST MEADOW, NY -- New York Islanders forward Pierre Engvall has served as a healthy scratch the last two games. Head coach Patrick Roy didn't like No. 18's unwillingness to go to the net, citing that his play to the outside is not something he cares for.
But, Roy is giving Engvall another a shot, an enormous opportunity against the Seattle Kraken.
He's playing Engvall alongside Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri.
"I was very clear with him this morning," Roy said on his conversation with Engvall. "I'm giving him a chance to play with Brock. I know they and Palmieri have had great moments. I want him to drive that net. He played so well against Vancouver, Seattle, and Calgary. That's the player I'd like to have on my team.
"I was very clear on what I want. I want to give him a fair shot there, and it's in his hands."
Roy is right. That trio has had success before.
In 563 minutes last season, when the Engvall-Nelson-Palmieri trio was on the ice, the Islanders outscored their opponents 23-18, with 23 goals, the second most on the team behind the Anders Lee, Bo Horvat, and Mathew Barzal trio (28).
When Engvall first arrived on Long Island ahead of the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline, he found a home with those two, a line that was one of their best to close out the regular season, success that translated into the playoffs.
"You look at the strengths of Pierre's game. He's a big body. He skates incredibly well. He could protect the puck with the best of them," Palmieri said. "I think it's keeping those feet moving, all the things that Patrick and Pierre have said, that make him successful as a player. It's the reason our line was successful.
"He doesn't have to reinvent the wheel by any means. We know what kind of impact he can make on our line and with our team during the game. So we're looking forward to him seizing that opportunity tonight."
The Hockey News caught up with Pierre after morning skate.
"I think they're two really good players," Engvall told THN. "They're making plays everywhere, and, you know, I really enjoy playing with them, so, yeah, it's gonna be, hopefully, a fun game and nice to be back in."
It didn't seem like Engvall and Roy were on the exact same page the last time we spoke to No. 18, so are they on the exact same page now?
"Yeah, we've been speaking, and I know what he expects of me," Engvall said. "I'm going to go out there and try to do as much as I can."
Thursday's game will mark the first time this season that Tsyplakov doesn't skate with those two.
In 288 minutes, when those three have been on the ice, the Islanders have outscored their opponent 16-12, which is tied for the league lead amongst lines.
Roy made it clear that the change is more about giving Engvall a shot with Nelson and Palmieri than not liking what he's seen from Tsyplakov lately.
"Yeah, [it's about] giving Pierre a shot, but at the same time trying something different," Roy said. "We haven't scored as much as we wish. So, at the same time, you got to try new things and that's what we're going to try today. Hopefully this will create a spark for Pierre and help the team to win a game."
Engvall has three goals and two assists in five games, scoring in the Islander's 3-2 loss to Seattle on Nov. 16:
Puck drop between the Islanders and Kraken is coming your way at 7:30 PM ET exclusively on ESPN+/Hulu.