Rookie Ruslan Iskhakov could make his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut if Matt Martin isn't available for the Islanders on Thursday.
Rookie Ruslan Iskhakov could make his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut if Matt Martin isn't available for the Islanders on Thursday.
EAST MEADOW, NY -- When the New York Islanders hit the ice for practice in preparation for Thursday's Game Three against the Carolina Hurricanes, forward Matt Martin was missing.
In his place on the fourth line was rookie Ruslan Iskhakov:
Iskhakov was recalled ahead of the Islanders' final regular-season game, a meaningless 5-4 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he notched a secondary assist with two shots on goal in 14:11 minutes:
"Martin is day-to-day, maintenance," Islanders head coach Patrick Roy said on Wednesday morning.
When asked if Iskhakov was going to play if Martin couldn't suit up for Game Three, Roy said it was an option.
"That's a possibility, of course. And we'll make a decision tomorrow."
The Islanders will hold an optional morning skate on Thursday ahead of 7:30 PM puck drop.
If Iskhakov gets into the lineup, it will be his first playoff game and just his second career NHL game.
"That would be a pretty big step. But hey, I'm ready whenever," Iskhakov said. "I'm not sure what the decision is going to be tomorrow, but I'm just really excited for the chance."
After yet another AHL All-Star season, leading Bridgeport in goals (18), assists (32), and points (50), Iskhakov was hoping to get recalled.
While his focus was on helping his team win games, Iskhakov also monitored the big club's performance.
"You kind of have your hopes at the end. Never say never, but I’m glad it worked," Iskhakov said. "I want to say that I was concentrating on whatever was going on in Bridgeport, but when you have an opportunity, you keep an eye on the main team.”
Outside of playing 14:11 minutes in his NHL debut, with an assist, many Islanders fans don't know much about Iskhakov's game outside of high-light reel breakaway and shootout goals that take the internet by storm:
"He's a great kid. Obviously, you guys see it on the ice. He's got unbelievable skill that, playing with him the past couple of years, he still almost amazes you a little bit, especially when you get to see in practice a lot too, the skill. He's fun to watch," Islanders rookie forward Kyle MacLean told The Hockey News. "A couple of them this year, doing them in overtime or a shootout...I would never think to even pull off anything like that.
"But the confidence and the skill he has is...it's pretty out of this world."
But what does the five-foot-nine forward bring outside of the flashiness?
"When it comes to battles -- we'll call him undersized -- but he's really strong on his skates and on his stick, and he's crafty, too, using his creativity to kind of get around that."
MacLean also said that what Iskhakov can do with his skates is an underrated skill.
"If you watch him, like in the corners, his cutbacks and his protecting of the puck where he gets you on his back and moves really fast are standouts," MacLean said. "He moves his feet well, he's strong on those cutbacks, and he holds off guys pretty well to make."
MacLean got his NHL start at the beginning of January and has been a catalyst for the Islanders, with many thinking he's been their best player in the first two games of the playoffs with a goal, a fight, and just strong play.
How cool has it been to see one of his teammates get the chance to live out his NHL dream?
"It's cool. We played together for two years, so it's awesome to see them get a chance, get the success, and Iskhakov definitely deserves as well."
Bridgeport Islanders rookie Matthew Maggio spoke with our Brendan Yerkes about Iskhakov last week, as the two played a lot together this season.
"Yeah, I mean, I think we developed some good chemistry here in the second half, and he's just such a special player," Maggio said. "He's fun to play with. He makes the game easy. I think we think the game a little bit the same way, where we're always looking for each other, and it's been fun for him. I've been texting him every few hours since he's been called up, and I'm just so happy for him.
"I mean, he's such a good player and so talented. He works so hard, and no one really sees the work that he's put in, and he's a great guy to learn from. He’s first on the ice, and he's last off every day. He's leaving the gym hours after everyone and is just constantly trying to get better, and I think him going up there is pretty cool for me to see. I know that he can do it, and I'm excited to see what the future holds."