Cizikas was selected by the Islanders in the fourth round (No. 92) of the 2009 NHL Draft after playing two seasons with Mississauga of the Ontario Hockey League.

He remained with Mississauga two more seasons, scoring 54 goals and 126 points, and was captain in 2010-11. Cizikas also represented Canada at the 2011 World Junior Championship.

He turned pro in 2011-12 and played most of the season with Bridgeport of the American Hockey League, but made his NHL debut against the New York Rangers on Feb. 24, 2012. He had four assists in 15 games with the Islanders before being returned to Bridgeport.

Cizikas began the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season with Bridgeport and had 10 goals and 21 points in 31 games before joining the Islanders when NHL play began. He played the remainder of the season with the Islanders and scored his first NHL goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Jan. 29, 2013.

The center became a mainstay in New York and a regular on the penalty kill. In 2015-16, he formed a formidable fourth line with Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin that helped the Islanders win a Stanley Cup Playoff series for the first time since 1993.

The Islanders signed Cizikas to a five-year contract on June 2, 2016.

He scored an NHL career high 20 goals in 2018-19, once again helping New York reach the second round of the playoffs.