New York Islanders Top 5 Weekly Highlights: Mathew Barzal Clutch Goal

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 10: Cody McLeod #8 of the New York Rangers fights with Matt Martin #17 of the New York Islanders during their game at Madison Square Garden on January 10, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Matt Martin Destroys Dan Girardi

Matt Martin has been outstanding for the New York Islanders this season. Teaming up with Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck the Isles fourth line has been able to bring the energy every night and even contribute with some secondary offense.

But Matt Martin brings more than a relentless forecheck, a veteran work ethic, and a bit of scoring to the table. The man is an absolute unit and he uses his 6’3″ 220lbs frame to let the opposition know they’re in for a tough 60 minutes.

Against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday, defenseman Dan Girardi got a first-hand education in what it felt like to hit an immovable object.

In a 0-0 game, a hit like this typically wakes up both teams and the crowd. And that’s exactly what it did for the Islanders. It didn’t result in a goal but the hit did what it was supposed to do. The crowd was a awake and so were the Isles. If not for Andrei Vasilevskiy proving to be super human, the Isles would have won.

It seems like every week Matt Martin puts up a hit like this on some unfortunate player in the opposition. That has to play into other players minds when Barry tossed the fourth line over the boards. It’s a psychological advantage very few teams in the NHL possess.