New York Islanders forward Kyle MacLean has the nose for the Stanley Cup Playoffs as his father and assistant coach, John MacLean, did.
Kyle and John MacLean became the first father-son duo to score in their first career playoff games. John MacLean did it in 1988 with the New Jersey Devils against the New York Islanders.
Even though the Islanders lost the first two games against the Carolina Hurricanes, MacLean is still making an impact. In Game 1 of Round 1 of the Islanders playoff series, he scored the lone goal for the Islanders and has made an impact since being recalled from Bridgeport.
Head coach Patrick Roy continues to take notice of the hard work MacLean is putting in.
“I keep saying it—he’s earned everything he’s got so far,” Patrick Roy said after the Islanders loss in Game 1.
MacLean was recalled back on January 19th when Casey Cizikas missed time with a lower-body injury. He saw two separate stints filling the role of Cizikas; however, Head coach Patrick Roy saw something in MacLean that kept him in the lineup even when Cizikas returned.
That confidence has paid off. In 32 regular season games with the Islanders, MacLean contributed nine points (five goals and four assists) down the stretch, with every game feeling like a playoff-type game. The Islanders were fighting to make the playoffs.
On the night the Islanders clinched the playoffs in their penultimate game against the New Jersey Devils, MacLean scored against his dad’s former club in a state he grew up in—a pretty cool moment for him and the family.
Entering the playoffs, Patrick Roy gave the 24-year-old forward more responsibilities. With Jean-Gabriel Pageau out of the lineup for Game 1 and returning in Game 2, Roy moved the young forward to play with Anders Lee and Pierre Engvall.
“I feel that he’s getting more and more confident out there and playing really good hockey,” Patrick Roy told the media after the game. “He played with Anders and Pierre; I thought he had another solid game.”
Kyle MacLean’s work ethic has won over his teammates. They feel a renewed energy out there, and he was the spark that energized the Islanders on their run into the playoffs. While he did not appear on the scoreboard, his fight early in Game 2 against Stefan Noesen sparked the Islanders.
With the Islanders clinging to a 3-2 lead in Game 2, MacLean had a goal called back because he touched it with a high stick. But there is no doubt his energy can provide a spark as the series shifts to the Island.
It will be interesting to see if the Islanders keep the restricted free agent around at the end of the season. If he keeps playing like this, Kyle MacLean might find a permanent spot next season.
photo by Drew King
