New York Islanders forward Casey Cizikas (lower body) was a full practice participant on Wednesday and could return Thursday when the Isles play host to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The veteran pivot has missed the past 10 games due to a lower-body injury suffered when he blocked a Filip Hronek shot in a 5-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 9. A reliable defensive forward, Cizikas has long been the Islanders' fourth-line center and has recorded five goals and 11 points across 39 games on the season. He scored as many as 20 goals in the 2018-19 season, when he also recorded a career-high 33 points. The Islanders currently sit fourth in the Atlantic Division with a 21-17-2 record and beat the Maple Leafs 3-2 in their first game out of the All-Star break on Monday.
New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas is out week to week with a lower-body injury. The veteran pivot was injured blocking a shot from Vancouver Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek during his team's 5-2 loss on Tuesday and left the contest after taking two more shifts following the block. Not known for his offense, Cizikas has registered five goals and 11 points across 39 games on the season but is a big part of the team's penalty kill and has been a mainstay as the team's fourth-line center across his 13-year NHL career. Cizikas joins defensemen Ryan Pulock and Robert Bortuzzo as well as goaltender Semyon Varlamov as those currently sidelined for the Islanders.
New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas (illness) is regarded as a game-time decision for Sunday's battle with the Penguins. Cizikas wasn't available for Friday's clash with Washington due to an illness but could be back in action for the final game of 2023. The 32-year-old is on a six-game scoring drought but has made a decent impact from a fourth-line role with five goals and five assists in 34 appearances. Cizikas has also totaled 55 hits and 36 blocks. Matt Martin will likely drop out of the lineup if Cizikas is ready to return.
New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas had to leave Thursday's battle with the Rangers early due to an undisclosed injury. He was hurt in the second period and finished with only 7:31 of ice time. Cizikas had one hit in the limited action. With the Islanders already back in action Friday versus Florida, Cizikas might be forced to miss his first game of the season. The 31-year-old has once again been a big part of the fourth line this season, recording 72 hits with 26 blocks in 34 games. Offensively, Cizikas has chipped in with two goals and five assists. The Identity Line already lost Cal Clutterbuck (upper body) a few games back.
Casey Cizikas Misses Saturday's Action With Suspension
New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas will sit out Saturday's visit to St. Louis after he was suspended for one game. The 31-year-old was punished for boarding Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brendan Smith in Friday's 2-1 win. This is Cizikas' first career suspension. The hard-working centerman will be available again Tuesday against Pittsburgh. Cizikas has posted 14 points in 63 games and has very little fantasy value, although he is always good for a few hits in a game. He's managed 124 hits in total for the season.
