Islanders might've finally found elusive fourth

DALLAS — Sunday night marked the ninth combination the Islanders have tried as a fourth line in just 18 games so far this season.

It also might have, finally, given them something to work with at the bottom of their lineup.

The 4-1 loss to the Avalanche , with two late Colorado goals that made the final score a bit deceptive, was the first time all year that the fourth line had a case as the best for the Islanders in a game.

Not so coincidentally, it was also Max Shabanov’s first game back from injury, which formed a new trio of the Russian winger with Cal Ritchie and Casey Cizikas.

Though Shabanov’s 5-foot-9 frame makes his presence on the fourth line counterintuitive, the group played up ice all night.

They forechecked effectively.

They were the only line that consistently contro