Islanders’ Casey Cizikas placed on IR; recall Kyle MacLean from AHL

The New York Islanders revealed on social media that forward Casey Cizikas is dealing with a lower-body injury and is now on injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 9.

Since Cizikas is officially on IR, this clears a roster spot, and according to NHL.com reporter Stefen Rosner, the team recalled forward Kyle MacLean from the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders.

Cizikas, 32, was injured in the first period of the Islanders’ Jan. 9 game against the Vancouver Canucks, which they lost 5-2. He has not appeared in any games since.

Through 39 games this season, Cizikas has five goals and six assists for 11 points. Now in his 13th NHL season, all with the Islanders, Cizikas has 102 goals and 131 assists for 233 points in 784 games. He reached career highs in 2018-19 with 20 goals and 13 assists for 33 points.

MacLean, 24, is in his fourth season with the Islanders’ organization, spent entirely in the AHL. Through 36 games this season, he has six goals and 13 assists for 19 points. The undrafted forward is on pace for his best scoring season in the AHL. If he draws into the lineup, it will be his first career NHL game.

The Islanders are 19-15-10 with 48 points through 44 games, sixth in the Eastern Conference’s Metropolitan Division. They’re 3-6-1 in their last 10 and have lost three straight.

Forward Mathew Barzal leads the team with 45 points (12 goals and 33 assists) in 43 games, followed by defenseman Noah Dobson with 43 points (six goals and 37 assists) in 44 games.

Their next game is Friday in Chicago against the Blackhawks, then they fly home to host the Dallas Stars on Sunday night and the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday.