The Islanders’ “dream” NHL debut only missed one thing

PHILADELPHIA – Marshall Warren was a flash off Samuel Ersson’s glove away from his NHL debut being a fairytale.

Ersson’s steal of Bo Horvat in overtime prevented the Islanders from getting the win on Saturday, so Warren had to settle for two assists for his boyhood team in a game Losing 4-3 on penalties to the Flyers.

For the 24-year-old who grew up in Laurel Hollow rooting for the Islanders, it’s still an afternoon lifted straight from his dreams — literally.

“You dream about it,” Warren said. “How many nights have I dreamed about it, when it came down to it coming true, it was really cool. Obviously I wanted to get the win, but it was great to hear from everyone.”

Warren was originally drafted in 2019 by the Minnesota Wild in the sixth round, but the Islanders signed him as a college free agent in April 2024, after his rights had lapsed.

The University of Michigan product wasn’t a highly touted prospect, but he worked his way into the mix through a strong training camp and preseason.

when Alexander Romanov has been placed on injured reserve On Thursday, Warren was called up ahead of Isaiah George — who played 33 games with the Isles last season — and when Patrick Roy decided to scratch Adam Boqvist in Saturday’s game, the Long Island native was making his NHL debut.

“One I will remember for the rest of my life,” Warren said. “Really emotional.”

Most of Warren’s family made the short drive to Philadelphia to see him. But his father was unable to do so, as he had to stay with Warren’s grandfather, who is currently in the hospital.

The debut itself was enough, but Warren also recorded a pair of assists over 11:20 of ice time, which could help him stay in the lineup when the Islanders go to Boston on Wednesday.

The second, his shot from the blue line that was tipped away by Max Tsyplakov at 4:21 of the third, temporarily put the Isles ahead 3-2.

Whether or not Warren remains in the lineup will likely depend on whether or not Romanov is available. The Russian is eligible to come off IR at any time, but it’s unclear when he’ll be ready to return from an upper-body injury.

However, it appears that Warren could be an important factor for the Islanders.

“I thought he played really well,” Roy said. “I got two apples. He played a really good game. I was very happy for him.”

The Islanders played three-on-three overtime for the first time this season, and started the extra period with Matthew Schefter, Bo Horvat and Matt Barzal on the ice together.

Scott Mayfield had the first fight of the season for the Islanders, dropping the gloves with Garnet Hathaway. Mayfield had two more penalties during a physical game from both sides.