Casey Cizikas Exits Scrimmage Early as Islanders Prepare for Season Start

Only a few days away from the start of the regular season and the New York Islanders got a bit of a scare on Sunday.

Casey Cizikas left the Islanders scrimmage early after injuring what appeared to be his hand during a hit in the corner. Cizikas did remain on the bench before eventually leaving the ice.

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The situation didn’t appear to be too dire, according to head coach Barry Trotz.

“He’s getting checked out,” Trotz said after the scrimmage. “I would probably say the first indication maybe is that it’s more positive than negative. But I don’t have a firm update on that right now.”

Casey Cizikas down hard after three-way collision. #Isles scrimmage stopped as he's looked after on the ice. Looks like they were looking at his left hand or arm.

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) January 10, 2021

Cizikas had been in his usual spot on Sunday, center a line alongside Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck.

Any potential injury to Casey Cizikas would be a big loss for the Islanders. Cizikas is an important part of the bottom six of the roster and the third member of the team’s energy line.

Casey Cizikas was returning at 100 percent this training camp after suffering an injury during the playoffs that sidelined him from playing in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Cizikas had told reporters earlier this week that he had taken a shot to the head in the bubble and the vision in his left eye went blurry.

Cizikas also suffered a couple of injuries during last season as well.

“I’m feeling good now,” Cizikas said last Sunday. “I feel good on the ice. I feel confident and I feel comfortable, which is the biggest thing.”

The Islanders open the season in four days just across the river in Manhattan. They’ll take on the New York Rangers on Thursday at Madison Square Garden in the first of two games to be played to open the season between the New York Rivals.

The Islanders did not announce if they would practice or not on Monday.