ELMONT, N.Y. — New York Islanders veteran winger Matt Martin was sidelined for Game 4 of his team’s first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes due to a lower-body injury, head coach Patrick Roy announced before puck-drop Saturday afternoon.
In his place will step 23-year-old rookie Ruslan Iskhakov, who has just one game of NHL experience. He will play alongside Kyle MacLean and Cal Clutterbuck on New York’s fourth line.
Facing a 3-0 hole, Saturday could be the Islanders’ final game of the season with a loss and could end Martin’s career with a franchise he has spent 13 of the last 15 years with. The 34-year-old is an unrestricted free agent following the 2023-24 season.
“Yes [I feel for Matt]. If he wasn’t injured, he would play,” Roy said. “I have so much respect for what he’s brought to the organization, the way he’s been playing. Sometimes those things happen. Every team is subjected to this so it gives an opportunity to others to step up.”
Iskhakov made his NHL debut last Thursday night in the Islanders’ regular-season finale against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He logged 14:11 of ice time and picked up an assist.
Martin, who made his Islanders debut 15 years earlier during the 2009-10 season, ranks seventh in franchise history with 823 regular-season games played. He also ranks 16th in franchise history with 82 postseason games played.
For more on Matt Martin, visit AMNY.com
Read more: Tragic East Harlem Shooting: 19-Year-Old Fatally Shot
