It’s far too simplistic to state that as the Islanders’ trio of Casey Cizikas in between Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin goes, so goes the team.
Yet it’s also not too far from the truth. There’s a reason coach Barry Trotz rejects the fourth-line designation in favor of calling them the identity line.
"You think at times to break them up," Trotz said on Sunday after the Islanders practiced at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow. "But they use the same brain. They’re all on the same page so it’s hard to break them up."
The Islanders (4-4-2) face the Rangers on Monday night at Madison Square Garden looking for their second winning streak of the season.