"The New York Islanders are not getting enough from the fourth line. Besides the fourth line is struggling to produce and is often getting out chanced by opponents. Due to the Max Shabanov injury, the fourth line has changed. Casey Cizikas has remained as the fourth line center but change may be needed and heres why: Through 9 games played Cizikas has 1 goal and 1 assist. Cizikas is operating at 33.3% in the faceoff dot which makes it harder for the fourth line to be respnsible in the defensive zone when they are often losing face-offs and not having puck possession."
"Cal Ritchie is a high end playmaker with a high intensity motor while being a high end playmaker. Cal Ritchie has only played 3 games in Bridgeport but has tallied a point in all 3 games. Through his 3 games in Bridgeport Cal Ritchie has been a standout using his skating ability to create lanes, while setting up two goals, collecting an assist on both. His last season with the Oshawa Generals he tallied 70 points in 47 games."
The Islanders' fourth line is underperforming both offensively and defensively, often getting out-chanced and lacking puck possession after lost faceoffs. Casey Cizikas has one goal and one assist in nine games, is winning roughly 33.3% of faceoffs (about 2.67 wins per game), and is averaging 10:14 TOI. Injury to Max Shabanov forced lineup changes, and wingers Tsyplakov and Holmstrom are not ideal fourth-line fits. Three fourth-line combinations have been outscored this year. Cal Ritchie has produced in Bridgeport with points in three games, shown playmaking and skating, and posted 70 points in 47 Oshawa games, making him a logical option.
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