Cizikas' favorite game show has caught fire in the Islanders locker room. After working out and hitting the ice for morning skate, the dining room table in the team lounge becomes contestant row. They play along, shouting out prices at everything from a brand new car to steak knives to apple cider vinegar.
"I think we've gotten pretty decent at judging prices," Anders Lee said.
Cizikas is a staple contestant, as is Dennis Seidenberg, Nick Leddy, Lee, goalie coach Fred Brathwaite and skills coach Bernie Cassell. Everyone else who isn't playing along becomes the studio audience.
"There's a lot of screaming and yelling from a few specific people, I'm not going to mention any names... Casey Cizikas," Leddy said. "Especially when there's a new car involved."
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Each Islander has a favorite game. Seidenberg is a Plinko guy, because he loves seeing how excited people get before dropping the coin. Lee likes Plinko too, but might enjoy The Yoddler more. Cizikas' mind changes constantly - the putting challenge, Plinko, The Yoddler, the money run...
"I love the show," Cizikas said.
Cizikas lights up like he's on the Showcase Showdown when he talks about The Price is Right. He's been watching the show since Bob Barker was the host because his grandmother - who lived with his family - tuned in daily. He's always imagined what it would be like to actually go on and he's waiting for the next California road trip to try and make it happen.
"I'm waiting for the day where I get to go to that and he gets to call my name out and I'll be up there jumping up and down," Cizikas said. "I think I'd clean up."
Is there a better possible contestant than Cizikas? He's already the most energetic and enthusiastic Islander. It's easy to picture him falling over the seats with excitement or crowdsurfing his way to the stage.
"I think his enthusiasm is there and he'd do a really good job actually," Lee said. "It's fun to see how excited this guy gets for a TV show."
"He's made up his own shirt already," Seidenberg said.
As far as gamesmanship, Cizikas said he'd try to time a two-spinner on the Big Wheel and he has no qualms about going one dollar higher than someone else on Contestant's Row. You want to bet $1300 on that set of his-and-hers luggage? He'll go $1301.
"In a heartbeat," Cizikas said. "You're there to win."
Cizikas' enthusiasm isn't the only thing driving The Price is Right train and the Isles aren't the only team who are into the show. Seidenberg said he watched The Price is Right during his time with the Carolina Hurricanes and Boston Bruins. It's on at the perfect time for hockey players, who have a lull in the middle of their game day between morning skate and the game.
"It's just that time in the day when everyone is sitting down eating lunch and we get to relax for a few minutes," Leddy said.
It's time well spent as far as Cizikas is concerned. You can't put a price on that.
