Cal Ritchie showed he can matter down the stretch for NY Islanders vs. Devils

New York Islanders forward Cal Ritchie didn’t just return to the lineup Thursday night — he announced himself as a player who can matter down the stretch.

As recently as Saturday, the expectation inside the organization was that the 21-year-old center would be sidelined until after the Olympic break. Instead, Ritchie was in uniform against the New Jersey Devils, centering Jonathan Drouin and Emil Heineman, and playing a meaningful role in the Islanders’ 3-1 road win in their final game before the layoff.

“I guess that’s why we should say day-to-day instead of a timeline,” coach Patrick Roy said earlier in the day. “But he felt great. When a player feels ready to go, why not?”

Ritchie looked more than ready. In 13:54 of ice time, he showed no visible effects from the lower-body injury that had kept him out six games. He was engaged defensively, confident with the puck, and comfortable handling second-line responsibilities — a notable development for a team that has been searching for consistency down the middle.

“He was good,” Roy said afterward. “Oh my god, he was good. He made some great plays with the puck, defended well. I was very happy with his play.”

That trust mattered. Ritchie’s return came with Anthony Duclair scratched, underscoring the Islanders’ growing emphasis on accountability and two-way reliability. Ritchie delivered exactly that, providing pace and structure while allowing his wingers to play to their strengths.

Ritchie said the recovery came together quickly after an initial setback late last month.

“Each day was just seeing how it felt, getting on the ice and doing a lot of rehab,” he said. “I feel good.”

There was no interest in waiting out the Olympic break.

“For me, I just want to help the team,” Ritchie said. “Every game is so big right now.”

If Thursday was any indication, Ritchie isn’t just filling a spot. He’s positioning himself as a legitimate option to play a meaningful role when the Islanders return for the playoff push.