COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Islanders had no inclination to scold Mat Barzal after he was tossed from Sunday’s loss to the Blue Jackets for swinging his stick at Mason Marchment’s legs. Quite the reverse, in truth.
Barzal’s teammates, as nicely as coach Patrick Roy, uniformly backed him for standing up for rookie Matthew Schaefer following the 4-2 defeat. Marchment had gotten a roughing penalty for a late hit on Schaefer in the first interval and caught his knee out, tripping the rookie, instantly prior to Barzal taking a hack at him.
“I think he’s pissed off, felt it was a dirty play on Schaef,” Adam Pelech instructed The Post. “We’re all with Barzy, obviously.”
It would be of little shock if Barzal receives supplemental self-discipline in addition to the recreation misconduct he got Sunday. That could come in the kind of a high quality and/or suspension.
Linesman Andrew Smith #51 skates Mathew Barzal #13 of the Islanders to the penalty field after being called for slashing on Mason Marchment #17 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second interval at Nationwide Arena on December 28, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. Getty Images
If so, the Islanders will take it in stride.
“We thought it was a knee on Schaef,” Roy said. “We’re never gonna blame a teammate going and trying to defend a teammate.”
It’s been a handful of weeks since an opposing player took liberties with the 18-year-old Schaefer, but the Islanders response has been constant all season whenever anyone has. They need to defend their first total decide, and that is the finish of it.
“Schaef’s Schaef. You gotta stand up for him,” Kyle MacLean said. “He’s a young guy, one of your best players. So there’s ways to go about things, but it’s good to see Barzy do something. We got his back there. It’s a penalty we’ll kill, I think. So it’s good to see.”
Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders skates with the puck against Damon Severson #78 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first interval at Nationwide Arena on December 28, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. Getty Images
Schaefer was effusive in his reward of Barzal.
“He’s a great guy,” No. 48 said. “On and off the ice, he’s a great guy and a great leader, too. Obviously thanks [to him] for doing that right there. That just shows, an older guy helping me out there, just like everyone else.”
Cal Ritchie drew out as a wholesome scratch for the first time this season, with Anthony Duclair rejoining the lineup.
David Rittich began in web for a second straight day, stopping 30 of 33 pictures.
Roy said Ilya Sorokin (decrease physique) will skate Monday but had “no idea” about his standing for Tuesday’s recreation against the Blackhawks.
The Islanders waived defenseman Ethan Bear, who had been on injured reserve since September. It is possible a signal Bear is shut to returning, and if he clears, he’ll possible be assigned to AHL Bridgeport.
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