A year ago, Max Tsyplakov started the season on the second line and Casey Cizikas often featured on the third line.

This time around, the Islanders have enough depth that the two have been pushed down to the fourth line at the opening of training camp.

While that is a welcome development, it also means that the scramble for roster spots has become ever more tight.

Tuesday’s preseason game at the Devils, a 6-2 loss in which the Islanders rolled out a roster light on NHLers and got whacked by a New Jersey roster featuring most of the top Devils players, came with real stakes for the likes of Kyle MacLean and Marc Gatcomb, who are fighting to stay on the 23-man roster.

“Preseason are preseason, who cares about the win and losses,” coach Patrick Roy said. “Yeah you want to win every game y

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