ANAHEIM, Calif. — Casey Cizikas’ return to the Islanders’ lineup on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks may just have earned him a new nickname.
“He’s a little bit of a junkyard dog,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. “You can play him in different situations. I think he drives that line and pulls people into the fight and that’s what you want."
The Islanders activated their “junkyard dog” off injured reserve on Wednesday after Cizikas missed Saturday night’s 5-2 loss at Nashville with a lower-body injury. Trotz also inserted left wing Ross Johnston on Cizikas’ fourth line for Matt Martin and defenseman Luca Sbisa went in for Adam Pelech.