Last week’s decision in Philadelphia to try Casey Cizikas alongside Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal on the top line could end up having a lasting impact on how the Islanders’ season goes, as here was Patrick Roy’s response Saturday. night when asked about the trio.
“I’ve been here for what, two months and a few days, 31, 32 matches, and I know them more and more. I feel like I should have done it before,” Roy said. “That’s my reaction. I should have put him with Bo and Barzy first.
The emergence of Kyle MacLean as a capable center on the fourth line has allowed the Islanders to move Cizikas into the lineup, where his energy can be most useful.
But even with this stipulation, this decision was counterintuitive.
Cizikas is no one’s idea of a top winger, probably including himself.
It’s worked so far, with the trio accounting for 56.82 percent of the scoring chances, although less than 50 percent of the high-danger looks, as Cizikas’ skills complement those of his teammates.
“They find open ice. The way they run the play through the neutral zone and the O-zone, it’s unbelievable,” Cizikas told The Post after Monday’s practice at Northwell Health Ice Center. “My job is quite simple. I’m just trying to pick up the pace and move those (defenders) back so they have more room there. Any loose puck in the O zone, I try to track it down and get it into their hands.
“It’s been a lot of fun. It’s just about keeping my game simple. I know I’m not that type of player. I know I don’t have that level of skill as them. I just try to keep it simple, work hard and get in front of the net. Let them do the rest.
Simon Holmstrom moved to the second line during Monday’s practice, skating with Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, while Pierre Engvall replaced Holmstrom on the right side of the third line with Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
“I thought since we knocked him out, he was playing good hockey,” Roy said. “Sometimes you feel like you have to try different things. I like the way he handled the puck, the way he moved it, the plays he made. I thought it would be nice to create a little spark on this line with Nelson and Palmieri.
Semyon Varlamov will start in goal against the Rangers on Tuesday, according to Roy.
New York Post
