Islanders: Matt Martin Expectations For 2021-2022

For 10 years now, Matt Martin has been a fav favorite for New York Islanders supporters. We don’t have to talk about the two-year stint in Toronto, Matt Martin is an Islander in every sense of the word and is adored because of it.

He’s a leader both on and off the ice and while he doesn’t put up a ton of points, he is a useful piece to any hockey team. Last year, Matt put up 11 points (6 goals, 5 assists) in 54 games. He received 11:04 of ice time as the fourth line remained healthy for a majority of the season.

As we all know so well at this point, the fourth line usually is the driving force of this team. Sure, they might not be as effective as they once were but if you don’t think the energy they bring matters to this team, well I don’t know what to tell you.

As a line last year, they played 373:34 of ice time together at 5v5 according to Natural Stat Trick. They’re not known for being an offensive line but when it comes to creating vs limiting high danger chances, this line sports a 55.37 HDCF% and a 64.71 HDGF%.

Night in and night out this line is asked to help shut down some of the most talented players in the league and more often than not they do just that.

Matt Martin 2021-2022 Expectations

For this upcoming season, don’t expect a ton to change. The fourth line will likely get between 10-12 minutes a night and since Matty doesn’t play on the penalty kill he will likely come in somewhere around 10:30 of ice time per night.

He’s a bit banged up right now, which is okay because the Islanders have good depth, but once he’s back he’ll be a regular on that left side. Expect him to put up something like 14 points (5 goals, 9 assists) playing roughly 65-70 games on the year.

He doesn’t fight as much as he once did, just one during the regular season last year and two the year prior. For reference, he used to drop the gloves sometimes 10 times or more a season, but anyway he will likely fight one or two times and finish around 235 hits on the season.

If the Islanders go far again this year, Matt Martin and the fourth line will play a big role in it. He may not have the “C” on his chest, but his presence is absolutely necessary to the Islanders locker room.