Islanders players and fans pay tribute to Matt Martin, who wore a letter for his final home game.
The Islanders were able to give Matt Martin a proper quasi-sendoff, so they got that right. It was the final home game, traditionally “fan appreciation night,” so there was some fanfare as well as lots and lots of unused giveaway towels on unoccupied seats.
Oh, and the Islanders lost in regulation, conceding a (empty net-capped) hat trick to Dylan Strome and adding no points to their current 23rd-overall standing.
Matt Martin got to start the game, sporting an A for the first time in his long career, courtesy of the Islanders switching it from Kyle Palmieri’s to his chest for a one-night commemoration. He received a scoreboard tribute, and also at the end the Capitals gave him the Marc-Andre Fleury treatment, led by noted d-bag Tom Wilson, as if that makes headhunting bygones be bygones.
Alas, Martin did not score a goal, as the hockey gods were busy tending to other teams still in the wild card chase.
Islanders News
- It was more like Matt Martin Appreciation Night. “It’s great community here, a great place to live and a great place to play. And that’s pretty awesome.” [Isles]
- Pre-game, Martin teared up when asked about what it all means [Isles | Newsday | Post]
- Adam Pelech was ready to go. (Alex Romanov was not, ill, replaced by Scott Perunovich.) [Post]
- Martin is the Isles nominee for the King Clancy. [THN]
- And here’s the post-game shake:
The Caps stay to shake hands with Matt Martin and the whole UBS Arena crowd salutes him in his last game on Long Island pic.twitter.com/0aO5eTFqDx
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 16, 2025
Elsewhere
Much was decided last night — Minnesota tied it late to win in OT and get the West’s first wild card, the Blues won a blowout in regulation to claim the second, and that all made Calgary’s late shootout win moot.
Tonight the Canadiens can clinch the final spot with a point of any kind, but if they lose in regulation then the Islanders better be prepared to roll over for the Blue Jackets.
- Lane Huston has passed Chris Chelios for most points by a rookie defenseman in Montreal history. [Canadiens]
- Darnell Nurse received one of those “we’ll suspend you, but not for any playoff games” suspensions. [Sportsnet]
- The Senators are looking forward to the next Battle of Ontario. Me too. [Sportsnet]
- Auston Matthews notched his 400th(!) NHL (regular season) goal faster than Alex Ovechkin did. Yeah, but wrist maladies are not a good sign for attempting to do that for another decade. [Sportsnet]