Islanders' Mat Barzal Avoids Suspension for Slashing Blue Jackets' Marchment on Video

New York Islanders star Mat Barzal has avoided a suspension but has been fined $5,000 after being tossed from Sunday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets for slashing Jackets forward Mason Marchment.

The incident took place when Isles rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer went down at center ice after being clipped by Marchment early in the second period.

The Jackets forward had already been called for tripping when Barzal approached and hit Marchment with his stick.

Barzal was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct penalty following the incident. The game was tied 1-1 at the time of his ejection.

The incident resulted in an on-ice brawl involving both Barzal and Schaefer as Marchment remained down on the ice. Barzal's penalty was ultimately served by Marc Gatcomb.

The second-period tripping call wasn't the first time Marchment had clashed with the Isles' star rookie. He already sat two minutes after being assessed a roughing penalty on Schaefer late in Sunday's first period.

Shortly after returning to the ice from the Schaefer minor, Marchment then took another tripping penalty for making contact with Islanders winger Simon Holmstrom.

The Isles dominated the rest of the period, leading to a Bo Horvat go-ahead late in the second.

Barzal already missed more than half of Sunday's game following his ejection. The Isles are next set to play the Chicago Blackhawks on the road on Tuesday before turning home for a Thursday matchup with the Utah Mammoth.

The Islanders went into Sunday's game sitting three points back of the Carolina Hurricanes for the Metropolitan Division lead with a 21-13-4 record. They're looking to make it back into the postseason after following last season's playoff miss by selecting Schaefer at the top of the 2025 draft.

The Blue Jackets, who last qualified for the playoffs in 2020, are meanwhile sitting last in the division following a 15-15-6 start to the season.