Rookie Martin made impressive Islanders debut

Delivering on the team's dire need for size, energy and physicality in front of the net, Matt Martin had an impressive Islanders debut Tuesday against Nashville.

In his first NHL game, Martin had two assists and was such a presence down low that he earned a spot with the first power-play unit by game's end.

Martin, who was called up from Bridgeport Monday, assisted on Bruno Gervais' second-period power-play goal and Mark Streit's equalizer with less than 12 seconds remaining in regulation.

"It was a lot of fun, definitely," Martin, 20, said. "I was very nervous during my first shift, but I was able to get some of it out during warm-ups, get those looks across the ice and into the stands out of the way. It's the same game, but just faster and smarter. It was a lot of fun."

Making an immediate impact for the struggling Islanders also provided Martin with a boost.

"I think it's huge for me to show the coaching staff I can contribute at this level and that I'm on my way to being an NHLer," Martin said. "For my own confidence, it was good to get a couple of points and show that physically I'm able to contribute."

Coach Scott Gordon praised Martin's tenacity in front of the net, particularly on the power play. "I went to watch Bridgeport play two weeks ago and that was the first thing that caught my eye about Matt Martin - his willingness to stand in front of the net on the power play," Gordon said. "Here he is with two assists and an opportunity in his first NHL game to be on the power play. It says a lot."

Considering Tuesday night was his first taste of playing against NHL players, Martin (6-2, 192) showed he was not afraid to bang bodies. Last night he got into his first fight against Pittsburgh's Tyler Kennedy.

"That's one of the biggest attributes of my game and one of the reasons I'm up," Martin said. "I play fearless. It doesn't matter who you are, I'm going to run at you. I may get knocked down, but I'll get right back up."

Martin knows he must sustain that level of play if he wants to remain with the big club.

"I think I just have to continue to do the little things," he said. "I'm not going to dazzle people with my skill, but I'm going to work hard, play with energy, get in on the forecheck and all the other things I have to bring to stay at this level."