The Islanders activated Casey Cizikas off long-term injured reserve Thursday morning, marking a return to a healthy lineup for the first time in a long time for a team that has dealt with injury problems since opening night.

Cizikas, who suffered a lower-body injury blocking Filip Hronek’s&nbsp;shot on Jan. 9, had missed the last 10 games with Kyle MacLean filling in. 

But after scoring his first NHL goal in Toronto on Monday night, MacLean was sent down Thursday to keep the Islanders cap compliant.

With Robert Bortuzzo (lower body) still on long-term injured reserve, the Isles still cannot accrue cap space ahead of the trade deadline. 

But Cizikas is the third everyday player to return since the All-Star break, <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/02/06/sports/islanders-adam-pelech-ryan-pulock-defensive-pairing-reunited/">with Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock doing so in a 3-2 win over the Maple Leafs on Monday.</a>

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<figcaption>Casey Cizikas is returning to the Islanders lineup. <span class="credit">AP</span></figcaption>

Thursday’s game against the Lightning will mark the first time since a Nov. 24 win over the Senators that the Isles were not missing anyone from their lineup who otherwise would have&nbsp;played.&nbsp;

The Islanders have been battling injuries since opening night.{ai:summary}<p>The Islanders activated Casey Cizikas off long-term injured reserve, bringing their lineup back to full health for the first time in a while. Despite still having cap space limitations, Cizikas is the third player to return since the All-Star break. #sports</p>

Casey Cizikas returning as Islanders are finally healthy

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