There are certain players that have built up enough equity in this league that if they're unable to be in he lineup due to injuries or another reason, they're inserted back in as soon as they're ready. New York Islanders forward Maxim Tsyplakov is not yet in that category.
Tysplakov had played in all 44 regular-season games this season before his three-game suspension was handed out on Jan. 16 at UBS Arena for what the league determined was an illegal cross-check to the head of Philadelphia Flyers center Ryan Poehling.
The 26-year-old Russian forward has had a solid rookie season and was first in North America with seven goals and 12 assists, but he hadn't appeared on the scoresheet in the 12 games before his suspension. That lack of production, combined with the Islanders' winning streak, has kept Tysplakov a healthy scratch against the Carolina Hurricanes and likely will again versus the Colorado Avalanche as the Isles' close out their seven-game homestand.

"The forwards will be the same as the last game," head coach Patrick Roy said before Saturday's 3-2 OT win vs. the Canes. "It's hard when you win three in a row to make some changes. So, I mean, they all deserve to play, and Max understands that as well. So we're gonna go with the same forwards."
Also making it hard is the play of little-known organizational depth forward Marc Gatcomb. The UCONN product has added energy and physicality to the fourth line, with Kyle MacLean and Pierre Engvall, and dare we say, has helped that line have an identity in the last week.
Tysplakov will have another opportunity soon. The timing of the suspension and sitting in the press box came when he struggled offensively and may have needed a breather during his first 82-game regular season. It's not the worst thing for a player. Until then, you can't blame Roy for rewarding players who have been part of the winning streak until the next loss occurs. Tysplakov has made a good impression this year, and this bump in the road shouldn't impact his long-term standing.