While the second and third lines got most of the recognition for the New York Islanders’ Game One victory on Saturday, it was the team’s fourth line also got the job done in a more subtle fashion.
The line consisting of Casey Cizikas, who returned to game action for the first time since he suffered a leg laceration resulting from being cut by a skate, Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin were back to their ways of creating havoc in the offensive zone.
Neither of the three got on the stat sheet, but they were damn sure effective every time they stepped on the ice. Cizikas won 46% of his faceoffs and saw 14:56 of ice time; Clutterbuck had 14:28; Martin 11:46. The trio though, did play the physical game recording seven total hits — Martin and Clutterbuck 3 each and Cizikas 1 — and sacrificed the body when needed.
Clutterbuck had a team-high three blocked shots along with defensemen Devon Toews.
It was nice to see all three guys on the ice again being difference makers. For the Isles to take a stranglehold on the series today, they’ll need a repeat of that performance of what they did in game one. Maybe, even getting a little more physical too.
The Panthers offense, which was stymied by the Isles’ defense in the opening contest, are no doubt going to come harder out of the gate today being it’s basically a do-or-die situation. So that line throwing the body around more could definitely set the tone once again and get Florida’s forwards off their game. Establishing that heavy forecheck too, just like we saw in the first game, would also be a big help and take some of the pressure off the other three lines while doing the deed of tiring out an inexperienced Panthers defense.
It’s clear how much more the entire team was in sync when the fourth line is going. The Isles no doubt missed elements all three players brought when one or two of them were injured at different times during the regular season. They were finally back together on Saturday, and they did exactly what they’re known for doing.
The Islanders are going to need a few things to happen if they want to find themselves of 2-0 heading into tomorrow. Mostly it’s more from the first line and sticking to their disciplined game.
But their fourth line? They don’t need to change a thing.
They just need to play their game, and the team will have success.
In simpler terms, what that really means is just doing their job