They say that the best ability is availability. Cal Clutterbuck has been available all season long.
EAST MEADOW, NY -- They say that the best ability is availability.
When the puck drops on Wednesday at UBS Arena for their regular-season finale against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the New York Islanders will have five players who have played in all 82 games this season: Cal Clutterbuck, Brock Nelson, Kyle Palmieri, Anders Lee, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Every one of those players has played a part in the team clinching a playoff spot.
But for Clutterbuck, it's a special achievement, as he's playing in all 82 games for the first time in his 17-year career.
"Well, it's nice," Clutterbuck told The Hockey News. "I'm just glad I got a chance to go out there and help the team and try to get a win every game this year.
"I'm so lucky to get through the year without any unlucky breaks, and that hasn't been the case in recent memory. So, I'm happy to be able to get in."
It's been a monumental season for Clutterbuck, reaching the 1,000-game milestone on Nov. 21 against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Then, on March 28, against the Florida Panthers in Sunrise, Clutterbuck became the first-ever player to reach the 4,000-hit mark.
"Over 4 000 hits over his career, and he plays hard and blocks shots plays on the penalty kill, and is physical," Islanders head coach Patrick Roy said. "Absolutely, it's impressive. But he's a strong person. I mean, he's physically very strong."
The highest number of games Clutterbuck has played in a season prior to his one was back in 2008-09, playing 78 games his rookie season with the Minnesota Wild after playing just two games in 2007-08.
His seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points this season were the most since the 2018-19 campaign when he scored eight goals with 15 assists for 23 points.
Outside of the uptick in offensive production, Clutterbuck has continued to do what he's always done at the NHL level and then some.
His 54 blocks are the most since his 54 in 2017-18, his 271 hits are the most since the 2015-16 season, in which he recorded 288, and his 26 takeaways are the most for him since the 2013-14 season (30), while averaging the fewest minutes per game of his career (11:51).
It's just been an impressive regular season for the 36-year-old, pending unrestricted free agent.