The New York Islanders didn’t hesitate to rally around Mathew Barzal after he was ejected Sunday night in Columbus — because, in their eyes, he was simply doing what team leaders and veterans do: protecting one of their own.
Barzal was tossed from the Islanders’ 4-2 loss to the Blue Jackets after delivering a two-handed slash to Mason Marchment early in the second period, a response that came moments after Marchment appeared to stick out a knee and trip rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer. It was Marchment’s second questionable moment involving Schaefer in the game, following a first-period roughing penalty for a late hit on the 18-year-old.