New York Islanders: Casey Cizikas, Fourth-Line has found their game

New York Islanders‘ fourth-line centerman Casey Cizikas seems to have found his game, as his confidence has sparked his line and the rest of his teammates recently.

Throughout the first handful of games in this abbreviated 2020-21 NHL campaign, the New York Islanders were one dimensional. If the first-line failed to create scoring chances and bury, no other line was picking up the slack. But over the last handful of games, Casey Cizikas has played an integral role in his line producing, as his team has collected points in five straight contests.

Through the Islanders’ first six games of the season, Cizikas was without a point. But the more concerning part was that his line, known for their energizing ability, seemed to be sleepwalking on the ice. Rumors started to circulate that maybe this fourth-line of Cizikas, Matt Martin, and Cal Clutterbuck would be dismantled sooner rather than later. With Cizikas an Unrestricted Free Agent after this season, perhaps he could be moved for something given the cap situation. The idea of bringing back a fourth-line center after having “overpaid” Matt Martin this past offseason seemed like a ludicrous idea, especially if the line seemed washed up.

However, Cizikas has played at a much higher rate over his three games, as well as his line. Dating back a week ago in the Islanders’ 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, Cal Clutterbuck scored the game-tying goal, as each member of the fourth line picked up a point on the play. We have seen this line awaken, flashing us back to their prime of pure dominance. Head Coach Barry Trotz is back playing this line against the toughest of opponents.

Casey Cizikas and that dominant fourth-line are now clicking for New York Islanders

Given the way this fourth-line plays, a real gritty style laying the body and forechecking hard, it seemed that it took a toll physically and mentally. But if these last three games have shown the Islander fanbase anything, it’s that there is more left in the tank for all three of these guys.

In Monday night’s 2-0 victory over the New York Rangers, Cizikas and Matt Martin lit the lamp late in the third. Cizikas worked hard to find a loose puck in the paint, while Martin finished off a beautiful backdoor pass by Clutterbuck for the two-goal cushion.

However, consistency is the most crucial element of a player this season. Could Cizikas and his counterparts continue to produce at this level and play their style day in and day out?

While that still has yet to be answered, in the Islanders 4-3 shootout loss to the Penguins last night, the fourth line again was dominant. Cizikas got the scoring started for the Islanders with this potential “Goal of the Year”.

I know you just watched the goal, but hear me out. Watch it again. Everything about this play exemplifies Cizikas as a player. His never-quit attitude, his toughness, his determination, and his skills were all on display.

In the 2018-19 season, Cizikas put up 20 goals, as he set career-highs in that category, as well as in points, in plus/-, and in shooting percentage. It was just an incredible year and showcased that just because he was the fourth center on the depth chart did not mean that he could not contribute offensively.

Last season, Cizikas was off to a great start, but a skate laceration changed the outcome of his season and the fourth lines.’ The Toronto-native only played in 48 of his team’s 68 games, as he scored ten goals and collected four assists. The Islanders figured out rather quickly that Cizikas is not a player that can be easily replaced on his line and on the penalty kill. With Clutterbuck’s injury as well, we saw the Islanders fail to play to the level we have seen in the recent past.

When the playoffs began this past summer, the Islanders played much better, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1993. While Cizikas did not contribute statistically to the team’s much-improved bubble offense, his linemate Martin did. Whether he recorded an assist or not on his goals, we know Cizikas played a significant role in Martin’s success.

But again, Cizikas saw an injury take him out of the lineup. He would leave the bubble before the Islanders due to a detached retina, which required surgery. As we got set for this regular season to begin, Cizikas was injured the Saturday before the team’s first game. But he would, fortunately, be okay, but his minor injury could have been a reason for his slow start.

Now back to present day. Cizikas is now on a point streak of his own, with a point in three straight contests (2 G, 1 A). The fourth-line is also on a three-game goal streak. It’s no coincidence the team is 2-0-1 once this line started to play the way that was expected. It’s about getting points in this league, particularly this year. As the season progresses, the Islanders will need Casey Cizikas and the fourth-line to bring that energy each night. In a division filled with offensive juggernauts, getting not only depth scoring but strong physical and energizing play will help the New York Islanders find a way into a top-four spot come season’s end.