Matt Martin returns to the ice for the Islanders
New York Islanders left wing Matt Martin. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Former linemates Matt Martin and Casey Cizikas have traveled disparate hockey journeys this season with the Islanders. Neither has been easy.
Martin returned to the lineup on Friday night against the Wild at UBS Arena for the first time since Jan. 16, dressing for only the 25th time this season after attending training camp on a professional tryout offer and not signing a contract until Oct. 26. Cizikas has played all 75 games but struggled as a wing before being moved back to his natural center position after Brock Nelson was traded to the Avalanche on March 6.
“I knew the role I was going to be in when I signed up for it,” said Martin, who will turn 36 next month and likely is playing the final stretch of a 16-season career that includes 14 seasons with the Islanders.
“There are challenges within it,” Martin said. “Certainly the uncertainty of whether you’re going to be playing or not can be hard mentally. I just tried to stick with it. I’ve got a great support group at home, a lot of friends. It’s a pleasure to still be around and contributing to this team in whatever role.”
Martin drew back into the lineup only after Anthony Duclair was granted a leave of absence on Thursday following coach Patrick Roy’s postgame comments that the top-six wing was “god-awful” and it was an “effort thing” in Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to the Lightning to open this three-game homestand.
“You just take it day by day,” said Martin, who had one assist and 10 penalty minutes in his first 24 games. “Some days are better than others. Just keep putting the pedal down and coming to work. Try to be positive in the locker room. You never really know when you’re going to be in or not.”
Starting with Cal Clutterbuck’s arrival from the Wild via trade in 2013 and through last season — except for the two seasons Martin spent with the Maple Leafs from 2016-18 — Cizikas between Martin and Clutterbuck on the “Identity Line” was an anchor for the Islanders.
But Kyle MacLean has taken over the role of fourth-line center and was between Martin and right wing Marc Gatcomb against the Wild.
Cizikas played on MacLean’s wing early in the season before Roy started using him more often on Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s wing on the third line. Now Cizikas is centering the third line, with Pageau elevated to Nelson’s former spot centering the second line.
“Definitely playing center is a lot more comfortable for me,” said Cizikas, 34, who had six goals and eight assists entering Friday as he bids to play 82 games for the first time in his 14 seasons with the Islanders.
“It’s been a mental thing for me as well, trying to get back to where I know my game is at and what I know I can do,” Cizikas said. “For a long time there, it was definitely a struggle and there were a lot of things I needed to figure out.”
But Cizikas’ line with left wing Pierre Engvall and Hudson Fasching has been the Islanders’ most consistent of late.
“For me, the biggest thing was confidence,” Cizikas said. “It didn’t start the way I wanted it to. I was getting really frustrated where I was at and what was happening on the ice.”
Notes & quotes: The New York Islanders Clark Gillies Media Room at Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park, a hockey-themed respite for children and families facing a pediatric medical crisis, was dedicated on Thursday. “This would have been Clark’s dream,” said Pam Gillies, the widow of the late Hall of Famer, who died of cancer at age 67 on Jan. 21, 2022. “He loved his New York Islanders and he loved helping kids.” Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky, Gillies’ teammates Bryan Trottier and Butch Goring and fellow former players Clutterbuck, Josh Bailey and Johnny Boychuk were among those attending the dedication . . . Defenseman Scott Mayfield drew back in for Adam Boqvist after being a healthy scratch the last six games. “I just want him to be himself,” Roy said. “He’s a physical defenseman. He plays well defensively. It’s a good opportunity for him.” . . . Defensemen Mike Reilly and Scott Perunovich remained healthy scratches.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
