Casey Cizikas, Islanders enjoying their winning streak
Casey Cizikas #53 of the New York Islanders celebrates after scoring during the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on October 04, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Credit: Getty Images
DETROIT — It was suggested to Casey Cizikas that last season was a “slog” for the Islanders. COVID-19 impacted their roster and their schedule, leading to their first playoff miss since 2018.
“I guess that’s a way you could put it,” Cizikas said after Friday’s practice at Little Caesars Arena. “It was definitely a tough one mentally. The way that the guys have responded this year so far, coming in fresh, coming in ready to play, it shows in the way that we’ve started so far.”
The Islanders (7-4-0) will be looking to extend their winning streak to six games when they close out a three-game Midwest swing against the Red Wings on Saturday afternoon.
They are hoping to have Cizikas’ linemate, Cal Clutterbuck, in their lineup after the gritty right wing was the only Islander not to participate in practice.
The Islanders said Clutterbuck was out for maintenance. Nikita Soshnikov likely will draw into the lineup if Clutterbuck is unavailable.
Cizikas’ identity line with Clutterbuck and Matt Martin, who grew up across the border in Windsor, Ontario, has been a pacesetter for the Islanders’ success as they have rediscovered the joy of winning. Not coincidentally, having fun can translate to on-ice success.
“I think it leads to some added confidence, maybe,” coach Lane Lambert said. “It kind of goes hand in hand. It’s just trying to make sure we maintain every day.”
“Winning is a lot more fun than losing,” said Kyle Palmieri, who scored his third goal of the season in Thursday night’s 5-2 win over the Blues after not notching his third goal last season until his 30th game.
“It’s been a good stretch for us. There’s going to be ups and downs. But we want to keep this good thing going and hopefully finish the road trip off right.”
The Red Wings (5-3-2) are 4-1-1 at home. The Islanders have won five straight for the first time since Feb. 28-March 2, 2021.
Something will give.
“We’ve gotten off to a good start,” Cizikas said. “We’ve played some really good hockey. To continue that, it’s not getting comfortable with where we’re at. It’s keep pushing forward and keep trying to make ourselves better as a group.”
Notes & quotes: Semyon Varlamov is expected to be in net after Ilya Sorokin stopped 53 of the 56 shots he faced in the first two games of the road trip. The Islanders have a back-to-back against the visiting Flames and the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Monday and Tuesday nights, and Varlamov presumably will play in one of those two as well . . . Lambert will coach his first game in Detroit after the Red Wings selected him in the second round in 1983 and he played 176 games for them from 1983-86. “Great memories,” Lambert said. “Had some great teammates and continue to have great friends from those teams. It’s always exciting for me to come back here.” That includes current Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman . . . Brock Nelson has matched a career high with his four-game goal streak.
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.
