NY Islanders new look fourth line providing flexibility and more for Patrick Roy

For the better part of a decade, the New York Islanders had an identity, and the foundation of it came from their fourth line, better known as the "Identity Line," consisting of Matt Martin, Casey Cizikas, and Cal Clutterbuck. That identity, and really, any identity, has been missing from the fourth line this season until recently when head coach Patrick Roy placed Maxim Tysplakov on a line with center Kyle MacLean and Marc Gatcomb.

“They’re playing well and they connect together,” Roy said after Saturday's 4-3 OT loss to the Calgary Flames. “That line gives us that flexibility to roll four lines and have everybody fresh and it’s fun to watch because they’re working hard, they finish their checks and play a simple game.” Gatcomb scored in the second period to give the Isles a 2-1 lead and MacLean scored late in the third period when a rebound off a Tysplakov shot found it's way onto his stick for a lead the Islanders would only briefly hold onto it.

MacLean was penciled in as the fourth-line center after signing a three-year deal in the off-season, while Gatcomb has been a revelation after the UCONN product signed a two-way deal in the off-season after spending the previous two seasons with Vancouver Canucks AHL affiliate. The 25-year-old has provided consistent energy and has scored 5 goals in 26 games.

The expectations were much higher for Tysplakov, who came over from Russia as a Top-6 type of forward and has had his ups and downs during his first NHL season. He scored 31 goals in 65 KHL last season, but has only eight in 64 games for the Isles. However, he's recently shown his value on this new-look fourth line and his linemmates have benefited from his skill and size.

“He’s great at possessing the puck, he’s good at dishing it, too,” MacLean said of Tsyplakov in the New York Post. “Gats, he’s been a straight-line player. He hits and creates some space for Max. I think we’ve been clicking pretty well playing a physical game.”

The trio is playing a simple game, but it's that predictability that allows Roy to give them enough minutes each night for the team to roll out four lines consistently throughout the game. When they are able to add offense, as they did on Saturday, it's an added bonus.