PITTSBURGH — Patrick Roy had already left the building by the time Matt Martin came off the ice Tuesday morning at PPG Paints Arena. So had most of the Islanders.

That’s not abnormal so much as a fact of life for a healthy scratch in the NHL. 

Which means it is a regular occurrence for Martin, who sat in the press box for a 23rd straight game on Tuesday when the Islanders faced the Penguins and does not appear to be on his way into the lineup anytime soon.

This is what Martin signed up for when he <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/09/19/sports/matt-martin-has-something-to-prove-to-islanders-with-tryout/">took a PTO to come to training camp</a> all the way back in September. 

The 35-year-old who embodied the Islander Way for the better part of a decade is living in a space of cognitive dissonance right now.{ai:summary}<p>Matt Martin remains a healthy scratch for the Islanders, sitting out his 23rd consecutive game as the team faced the Penguins. This situation is typical for players in his position, and it reflects the reality of his role after signing a professional tryout agreement in September. #sports</p>

Exclusive | Matt Martin opens up to The Post about the reality of his Islanders purgatory

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