Longtime Islander Matt Martin believes there’s no better way to start the season than facing the Rangers.
The New York rivals play Thursday and Saturday nights at Madison Square Garden to open their seasons.
"There’s nothing better in sports, in my opinion," said Martin, whose new, four-year, $6 million deal was finalized on Jan. 5. "Playing for the Leafs and playing at Montreal, nothing ever really felt quite like an Islander-Ranger game. To me, it’s the best. They’re a good team and we’ve got to be ready for them."
Martin first joined the Islanders in 2010 before Lou Lamoriello, then the Maple Leafs general manager, signed him to a four-year, $10 million deal in 2016.