Casey Cizikas’ eventual return from COVID-19 protocol could lead to Matt Martin also being reinserted into the Islanders’ lineup to reunite the team’s identity line.
Or not.
Because as much as the team’s nominal fourth line has struggled at times this season, there’s been some success with a reconfigured bottom trio. Zach Parise, normally a wing, is centering burly Ross Johnston and holdover Cal Clutterbuck.
Those three played together for a third straight game as the Islanders faced the Predators on Thursday night at UBS Arena, looking for their first back-to-back wins since Nov. 4-6 after Tuesday night’s 5-3 victory at Ottawa.