Cizikas Scoring At Career Pace

Day to day, there might be not be a happier person in the Islanders locker room than Casey Cizikas. The 27-year-old has the energy and enthusiasm of a
Price is Right contestant, which seems appropriate
, but Cizikas has a lot of smile about these days.
He spent the Isles three-day break up in Ontario, his first Christmas since becoming a father. Before the break, Cizikas scored his ninth goal of the season, matching a career-high set during the 2014-15 season. With 47 games remaining on the schedule he should smash his previous highs.

"It just shows that what you put into the summer can go a long way," Cizikas said. "I thought that this summer was a big summer for me personally and the work I've put in is paying off."
It doesn't look like much has changed in Cizikas' game. He's still the pesky center who works hard at both ends of the ice and isn't afraid to give the Evgeni Malkin's of the world a shove here and there. His goals largely come from inside 15 feet and off rebounds - and occasionally from a good bounce on top of the net.

He kills penalties and helps get the Islanders off on the right foot, as it's often he, Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck who start games for the Isles. Martin surmises that Cizikas' confidence is helping his offensive numbers this season.
"He's always been an important part of the team and right now he's getting a lot of opportunities," Martin said. "He's making some plays out there that if you're sitting at one goal, or zero goals, you're not making. Confidence is an important thing and he's playing with that."
Barry Trotz lauded Cizikas for his "junkyard dog" mentality and said he embodied the Islanders identity, especially now that the team has adopted a grinding philosophy. For a coach looking for commitment out of his players, he never has to look for more out of Cizikas.
But one area Trotz did feel Cizikas had more to offer was offensively. The coach felt there was a higher ceiling for Cizikas, as long as he doesn't veer too far from his spark plug foundation.
"He doesn't get enough recognition around that he can actually make plays," Trotz said. "If he stays to his identity, he's on people and gets those opportunities, he can do something with that. I'm really happy with Casey, he's as advertised. I thought he was a really good player when I was on the opposition side and he was getting people off [their games]. He'd be on you, just hound you and make things difficult for you. He does that, but he's done more than that for us. He's one of those foundational players you have on your team, sets the identity, sets the tone and always comes in with a smile on his face and a high energy level."

Cizikas has added some offense despite his defensive zone face-offs (152) more than doubling his offensive zone face-offs (61) - while HockeyReference.com has his even strength defensive zone starts (65.9%) nearly doubling his offensive zone starts (34.1%). Cizikas also sees virtually no power-play time, yet is fourth on the Islanders in goals. But ask Cizikas and he feels his responsibility has increased this season in terms of matchups and when he's deployed.
"The coaches here have had a lot of confidence in me and they've shown that," Cizikas said. "That always helps when you're going into a game knowing you'll be relied on in key situations. They've done a good job of building me, Marty and Clutter into a stable line that goes out there not just against fourth lines, but against top lines which is something we take a lot of pride in."
Cizikas is happy to do that job for the Islanders, to continue being a pesky checker and penalty killer and chip in where he can. He's on the trajectory for a career year in at least one category - his career-high in points is 29 - so he's going to stay the course and doesn't plan on changing his role or his game.
"We've got Leesy, Nelly, Ebs, Barzy. Beau, Bails and Fil, these guys are unbelievable offensively and their offensive IQs are beyond mine," Cizikas said. "I just try to go out there and work hard and get to those dirty areas. If my name ever gets called to be in a spot like that I'll be ready, but I'm just trying to focus on what's made us successful so far."