Mat Barzal Did What Leaders Do — Even If It Might Cost Him

Mathew Barzal’s reaction to Mason Marchment on Sunday night instantly became one of the most talked-about moments surrounding the New York Islanders this season—and not because of a goal or highlight-reel assist.

As the Islanders faced the Columbus Blue Jackets, things got out of control after Marchment appeared to stick out his leg on rookie Matthew Schaefer, sending the 18-year-old down to the ice. Some called it a trip, others a deliberate attempt to put out his leg and possibly injure the star rookie. Whatever the case, Barzal certainly appeared to believe it was intentional.

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He wasted no time responding, delivering a heavy slash to Marchment that immediately sparked a scrum, which included a gamer in Schaefer.

Officials handed Barzal a five-minute major and a game misconduct, ending his night early. Marchment, meanwhile, escaped with only a minor penalty, a decision that left Islanders fans and observers unhappy. Some will say they weren’t surprised, even though the play was a potential risk to Schaefer, one of the organization’s most important young pieces. The NHL has arguably not been very good at protecting its stars.

Despite the ejection, Barzal’s response was widely supported inside the Islanders’ room. “We’re never going to blame a teammate for going to try and defend a teammate,” head coach Patrick Roy said. “That’s what you want to see from your group.”

Islanders fans strongly supported Barzal’s actions. One noted that he may never wear the “C” for the Islanders, but his actions reflected exactly what teams expect from their leaders. He recognized a cheap shot, stepped in immediately, and sent a message—even knowing the consequences would be severe.

Supplemental discipline could be coming. Given the force of the slash and the automatic major, the league may take a closer look, and a suspension is not out of the question.

Marchment has long carried a reputation as an agitator, and the reaction from New York’s bench spoke volumes about how protective this group is of Schaefer. The Islanders may have lost Barzal for the rest of the night — they did ultimately lose the game — but they gained something just as important: proof that this team is willing to stand together when it matters.

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