From 2014-16, that identity was built around their physicality, when Martin and Clutterbuck hit everything that moved, but they've evolved to become an effective checking and energy line for the Islanders. Trotz likes their work ethic and that they play with - as the coach likes to say - skin in the game.
This year, they're providing some offense as well. Cizikas has scored a career-high 11 goals halfway through the season, while Martin and Clutterbuck have combined for eight. In total, the line has combined for 19 of the Islanders 132 goals, approximately 14%. Not bad, given it's their secondary responsibility to keeping other teams in check and providing a spark.
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"We've been getting plenty of chances and we're all playing pretty good shutdown games," Martin said. "We got some pucks in, got some turnovers and led to some pretty good opportunities for us and we capitalized on them."
Trotz has shown a lot of trust and confidence in the Cizikas line. All three are averaging over 10 even strength minutes per game, while Cizikas and Clutterbuck both contribute around two minutes shorthanded per game. The coach routinely starts his energy line in games and is now matching them up against other teams top lines. That trust has emboldened Martin, Cizikas and Clutterbuck, who saw a lot of matchups against Tampa Bay's top players on Sunday and took key defensive-zone draws against the Jaden Schwartz-Brayden Schenn-Vladimir Tarasenko line on Tuesday. Cizikas also started overtime for the Islanders against the Blues, while Clutterbuck led all forwards with 17:46 TOI.