Matt Martin played the final home game of his career last night as his New York Islanders lost to the Washington Capitals 3-1. In a classy move, he wore an alternate captain “A” on his sweater. That was not the only classy move. He is expected to play his 987th, and final, NHL game tomorrow night when the Islanders visit the Columbus Blue Jackets.
He is second all-time in the NHL in hits and was a frequent fighter. He played for the Islanders for 13 of his 15 NHL seasons, and was a member of the famed Islanders “Identity Line.” How will his career be remembered?
Matt Martin Career Statistics
Martin played his final home game for the New York Islanders last night as they hosted the Washington Capitals. He is expected to play his 987th, and final, NHL game tomorrow when the Islanders travel to Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets. He will fall just short of the magical 1,000-game mark (which 402 players have reached). Martin has played 13 of his 15 NHL seasons for the New York Islanders. He played the other two seasons for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He has scored just 81 goals and recorded 97 assists in his career but is better known as a tough guy. He is second all-time in the NHL in hits and frequently participated in hockey fights. Martin was selected in the fifth round of the 2008 NHL Draft by the New York Islanders. Martin got a spot with Sarnia of the Ontario Hockey League as a walk-on and played alongside future Tampa Bay Lightning Forward Steven Stamkos. Martin scored 63 goals and 109 points in 166 games for Sarnia. In terms of trivia, Martin’s father-in-law is former National Football League Quarterback Boomer Esiason.
The Islanders Identity Line
Martin teamed with Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck, one of the famed “Identity Line” for the New York Islanders. The “Identity Line” was one of the most effective fourth lines in the NHL. Martin set NHL career highs in goals (10) and points (19) in 2015-16, helping the Islanders win a Stanley Cup Playoff series for the first time since 1993. He signed a four-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs as an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2016.
The New York Islanders have struggled a bit since that line was disbanded. That is probably not a coincidence, as hitting and finishing hits is one of the keys to winning hockey games. The physical element is very important, even though fighting has declined somewhat.
Class, and More Class
Not only did Martin get to wear an alternative captain “A” last night, he got to take a face off (for only the second time this season). However, that was not the classiest move. Following the game, both the New York Islanders and the Washington Capitals lined up to shake hands. Everyone had something nice to say to Martin, including all-time NHL leading goal scorer Alexander Ovechkin. The Islanders’ season will end without the playoffs, while the Washington Capitals will move on. However, that was a nice touch of class for the well-respected Martin.
Conclusion
Martin will play his last NHL game tomorrow when the Islanders travel to Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets. His career will be a footnote in NHL lore, but he was very important for the Islanders and will be missed.
