New York Islanders Three Stars From 4-2 Caps Win

2 of 4

Dec 27, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders right wing Cal Clutterbuck (15) celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period against the Washington Capitals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

B+. 1 Goal, 4 Shots on Goal. New York Islanders. . Cal Clutterbuck

To be brutally honest that 1 goal is a bit generous for Cal. All the work belongs to Nikolai Kulemin for driving down the wing, attracting a second defender, shaking off two defenders, and then getting a backhanded shot on net that fortuitously bounced to the wide open Cal Clutterbuck.

But if Clutterbuck hadn’t gone to the net he wouldn’t be in position to score the tap-in goal, so, good job Cal.

His third star is less about that goal and more about how he’s back to in a comfortable role where the team can get the best out of him.

Moved up from the fourth line, and down from top line duties at the start of the season, Clutterbuck is nestled next to Strome and Kulemin. A pairing I admittedly didn’t like when it was first put together by Jack.

Not sure how I feel about a Kulemin Strome and Clutterbuck line...#Isles
— Eyes on Isles (@eyesonislesFS) December 28, 2016

But in the last two weeks, the three have a combined for a respectable 12 points. Strome with five (3G, 2A), Kulemin with four (1G, 3A), and Clutterbuck with three (1G, 2A).

Clutterbuck is starting to flourish offensively with this third line pairing. And that’s exactly what the Islanders need from Cal. A solid 12-14 minutes of hard-nosed hockey and timely tertiary scoring.