CHICAGO – Cal Clutterbuck did not garner All-Star consideration, which is no surprise since players nominally considered fourth-line grinders and agitators rarely do.
But there’s certainly more to the right wing’s game than checking ability – evidenced by his recent spate of offensive production and coach Barry Trotz’s conviction to keep him on the second power-play unit. Within the Islanders’ near-egalitarian, four-line system, Clutterbuck's contributions to the team’s success have been vitally important.
The Islanders face the Blackhawks on Tuesday night at United Center, their final game before their combined All-Star break and bye week. The Metropolitan Division leaders, who entered Tuesday off back-to-back shutouts having won 15 of 18 and looking to match their season-high six-game winning streak, do not reconvene for practice until Jan.