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Good Morning, Islanders Country.
It’s hard to remember a time without Matt Martin, which is strange because he spent two whole seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now in his 15th year, Martin will play in his 900th career game (768 with the Isles) later tonight at UBS Arena. If he dresses for 34 games this season, he’ll become only the eighth player in franchise history to play in 800 games on Long Island.
“When you see a guy every day, you find out what type of quality and character he has,” coach Lane Lambert said. “And this person is second to none. There’s a reason he’s been in his role for a long time. He plays it well.”
That type of longevity seemed unlikely when Martin was drafted in the 5th round of the 2008 NHL Draft. His stock rose after he was selected, scoring 35 goals and 30 assists for the Sarnia Sting of the OHL, but was never projected to be a prototype power forward at the NHL level.
One thing he always brought was a physical presence and the type of toughness that resonates with fans and teammates. He further defined his identity once his line with Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck was formed during the 2013-14 season. Dubbed first “the best fourth line ever” and later the “Identity Line” in their second iteration, the line continues to be better than the sum of its parts.
“Longevity is something I’m proud of,” said Martin after Monday’s practice. “10 years, about 800 of these games have been with the same two guys [Clutterbuck and Cizikas]. The type of game we play, and as you get older, they’re trying to replace you if they can because you’re more expensive and always trying to get younger guys into the lineup, so I’m proud of how I’ve held up over the years.”
Fifteen seasons, 13 with the Islanders and 10 with the same line. A lot to be proud of, and for Martin, a belief there is still more to do.
Coming up, Scott Mayfield is held out of practice after taking a shot on the ankle, and Samuel Bolduc readies for a potential season debut. Plus, the new trading card wall at UBS Arena, Ilya’s home dominance, and a resounding Blueshirt beatdown in the 1992-93 home opener.
Let’s dive in.
📰 NEWS: Defenseman Scott Mayfield missed Monday’s practice after blocking a Rasmus Dahlin shot in the waning minutes of Saturday’s 3-2 win. Mayfield took the slapshot off his ankle with 2:07 remaining. As the puck exited the zone, Mayfield stayed on all fours before hobbling to the bench.
"He's got some swelling, there's some maintenance there," head coach LaneLambert said. "We'll see how he is tomorrow." Sebastian Aho and seventh defenseman Samuel Bolduc were paired together throughout practice.
◾️ In the New York Post, Ethan Sears writes that with Aho and Bolduc both lefties, it would be Aho playing the right side if Mayfield can’t go tonight. “Sebastian has played on the right side for sure, so there’s potential,” Lambert noted.
An opportunity for Bolduc, even if it’s only one game, could serve as an important part of his development. His 17 games at the NHL last season were a mixed bag before he struggled in his two playoff games against Carolina.
“He’s gotta play assertive,” Lambert said. “Let’s put it that way. He knows that. He’s gonna move the puck. He’s a good puck mover. But we need him to be assertive and defend well and be hard around our net.”
⏭ NEXT UP: The Islanders are back on the ice tonight to take on the Arizona Coyotes. Face-off from UBS Arena is at 7:30 PM EDT. Karel Vejmelka will start for the Coyotes in net after Connor Ingram got the start versus the New York Rangers in last night’s 2-1 loss at MSG.
📊 STANDINGS:
CARD SHOW
A new season means new attractions and the still new UBS Arena, now in its third year as the home of the Islanders. In the hours leading up to puck drop on Saturday, several fans were sharing photos of somewhat obscure players that were part of a new exhibit of Isles trading cards located at Sec. 110 on the concourse.
There appear to be tons of randos, which I absolutely love. Eye spy Pierre-Marc Bouchard in the picture below, along with Blake Comeau.
Per NewYorkIslanders.com, the dazzling collection consists of 586 cards, one for every player in Islanders history regardless of resume or tenure, from the franchise's games played leader in Bryan Trottier (1,123) to players with just a single game under their belt and everyone in between. The wall encompasses every aspect of Islanders’ history, with some cards commemorating the Capital District Islanders, the team's AHL affiliate from 1990-93.
📚 SOUND SMART: Per Eric Hornick in The Skinny, last season, Ilya Sorokin became only the third goalie in Islander history to win at least 20 games at home in a season (Halak 22 in 2014-15, Smith 20 in 1981-82). Among all active goalies, Sorokin has the best career home marks in both GAA (2.01) and save % (93.1%)
🎥 ISLES REWIND: On October 17, 1992, the Islanders defeated the New York Rangers 6-3 in the home opener at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Six different Islanders scored goals (Benoit Hogue, Vladimir Malakhov, Brian Mullen, Steve Thomas, Bill Berg, and Derek King).
Glenn Healy made 30 saves to improve the team’s record to 2-2-1.
🎧 Islanders Anxiety - Episode 258 - Apologies To That Gentleman “Mike and Dan recap the Islanders opening night win over Buffalo and the loss of Ross Johnston, and debut a new bit, "Master Leaf Theatre." The victory over the Sabres, the Islanders' first win in an at-home opener in almost 30 years, had some great performances and some spotty ones, but as far as season opening games go, was very satisfying.”
🔗 Islanders Move Anders Lee to J.G. Pageau Line; Will it Work? by Mike Fink, The Hockey Writers “Whether the line change is temporary or not, Lambert has sent the message that Lee must earn his spot on the top line. Just because he’s the captain and has 240 career goals, his spot in the lineup isn’t a given. Like a healthy scratch, Lee was moved down in the lineup and will have to work his way back to the top line”
🔗 Scott Mayfield’s ankle injury leaves him questionable for Islanders by Ethan Sears, New York Post “Mayfield was out of practice on Monday with swelling, presumably on his left ankle, which took the meat of Rasmus Dahlin’s slap shot with 2:09 to go in the eventual 3-2 Islanders win.”
And we leave you with this…the first cinematic recap of the season!
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