The identity line

There have been many notable sets of forwards lines in NHL history. Some historic. Some legendary. Some together for years; others for just one season. The Matt Martin, Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck line has had many names during its Islanders tenure. Butch Goring called them the "E=MC2" line. Former CBC commentator Don Cherry called them “the best fourth line ever” in 2014-15. Barry Trotz renamed them the “Identity Line” after taking over in 2018. Call the trio what you will, the Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck were the Islanders’ heart-and-soul.

Identity is a fitting word, given that they set the tone for the Islanders’ grinding style in the 2010s into the 2020s.

If there were ever a case for chemistry, it would be the Islanders’ threesome, who were greater than the sum of their parts. They ground down opponents with their physicality and pace, setting the workmanlike tone for the rest of the team to follow. Ego was not a factor for the line, who accepted their role with pride and became fan favorites in the process. Perhaps most importantly, they set the example, and the bar, with their tireless pursuit of the puck and selfless attitude -- exemplified in their constant willingness to block shots and take or give a hit to make a play.

Their best asset was their physical style. All three players could hit – and hit a lot. Martin or Clutterbuck led the league in hits in every season from 2008-13, so it was no surprise that pairing two of the NHL’s top bodycheckers – along with a young, energetic center like Cizikas – yielded one of the most physical lines in hockey.

Their line became the heartbeat of the Islanders almost overnight, bringing a crash-and-bang mentality to a team poised for a breakthrough. They were deployed at the start of games to spark the crowd, after goals to keep energy on the bench high, or after goals-against to turn the momentum. Islanders fans roared for them during starting lineup announcements and opposing coaches game-planned for the physical unit.

As much as they gave the Islanders an identity, Martin, Cizikas and Clutterbuck’s attitude reflected Long Island’s as a whole. Blue collar. Hard working. Taking no guff. Loyal. If one of the three were in a scrum, all three were. If any of their teammates were in trouble, one of them would be there to stand up for them. Martin and Clutterbuck made Long Island their offseason homes, becoming so entrenched in the community that Martin was nicknamed the unofficial Mayor of Long Island.

Cizikas and Clutterbuck proved to be ace penalty killers, sacrificing their bodies to block shots. It wasn’t easy to play the way the line did. The thousands of hits the trio threw took a physical toll as well, plus all of the hits taken, or missed checks into the boards. They played the hard way every night and for that, they had the respect of their teammates and fans alike.

All three players have had long tenures with the team and played together almost exclusively in that span. They became just as close off the ice as they were on it and always seemed to be better together.

Martin, Cizikas and Clutterbuck were comfortable with their identity as hockey players and as a line. In turn, they gave the Islanders an identity the teams and fans could be proud of as well.