Isles' Cizikas, back from injury, scores vs. Bolts
Islanders center Casey Cizikas scores against Lightning goaltender Jonas Johansson during the second period of an NHL game Thursday at UBS Arena. Credit: Noah K. Murray
It was a learning experience for Casey Cizikas.
The Islanders’ fourth-line center was activated off long-term injured reserve on Thursday after missing 10 games with a lower-body injury and returned for the night’s 6-2 win over the Lightning at UBS Arena.
Cizikas, back between longtime linemates Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck, logged 14:37 with his sixth goal of the season.
Until this week, he had to learn new coach Patrick Roy’s system without being on ice.
“I tried to be in every single meeting,” Cizikas said. “I tried to be there and learn when he was teaching, when he was talking about what he wants to accomplish. But it’s a lot different once you get out there. I just tried to be calm and be in the right spots.”
‘A future’
Rookie center Kyle MacLean, 24, was re-assigned to the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport on Thursday with Cizikas returning. He played six games in his first NHL tenure and notched his first goal in Monday’s 3-2 win in Toronto.
“I think he has a future with us,” Roy said. “I felt like he was very reliable. He played really well defensively.”
Isles files
Brock Nelson returned for the third period after taking a hard hit from defenseman Emil Martinsen Lilleberg at 14:05 of the second period and heading directly to the Islanders’ room for observation…The Lightning were 1-for-2 on the power play as the Islanders allowed their seventh man-advantage goal in five games…The Islanders have won two straight for the first time since Dec. 11-13…Left wing Simon Holmstrom logged 11:42 in his 100th NHL game…Defensemen Samuel Bolduc and Sebastian Aho were healthy scratches…Isles+, a digital platform for mobile devices, was fully launched Thursday at UBS Arena, allowing fans to access four camera angles, instant replays, real-time statistics and other methods of in-game engagement.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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