No. 1 Beat No. 2 as Islanders Secure Win No. 3
In a thrilling 4-3 victory on Tuesday night at UBS Arena, Matthew Schaefer’s Islanders edged out Michael Misa’s Sharks, capturing their third win of the season. But the night was about more than just two points – it was a showcase of Schaefer’s emerging superstar talent.
Schaefer shined once again, delivering both an assist and a goal, while the crowd chanted his name in excitement. With just a couple of weeks into the season, it’s clear the Islanders have a rising star on their hands.
Extending His Historic Streak
Schaefer recorded his first point of the night with a secondary assist on Bo Horvat’s first-period power-play goal. This extended Schaefer’s points streak to six games, tying Marek Zidlicky’s record for defensemen starting their careers. He is also just one point shy of Alexandre Daigle’s expansion-era record for players 18 years old or younger.
Notably, the only other 18-year-olds with a six-game point streak are NHL legends Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky, putting Schaefer in remarkable company.
Taking the Lead Among Defensemen
Later in the second period, Schaefer scored a goal off an Anthony Duclair feed, sparking chants around UBS Arena and tying him for the NHL scoring lead among defensemen. His performance makes it clear that the sky is the limit, and he’s on a fast track to reaching those heights.
Islanders’ Struggles Despite Win
While Schaefer’s brilliance was the highlight, the Islanders’ overall play raised concerns. Despite their three-game win streak, the team showed signs of vulnerability, particularly in their own zone. They lost puck battles, defended rushes poorly, and appeared disorganized defensively.
This kind of play is a risky formula going forward.
Resilience in the Face of Challenges
The Islanders took a 4-2 lead heading into the third period after Schaefer’s second-period goal. However, their third-period play grew lax, allowing the Sharks to mount a comeback. Macklin Celebrini scored at 10:16, cutting the lead to 4-3, followed by a tripping penalty on Scott Mayfield just 25 seconds later.
Fortunately for the Islanders, they successfully killed off the penalty, and Ilya Sorokin stepped up with an outstanding 34-save performance—the best game of his season—to hold off the Sharks’ pressure and secure the win.
Early Game Difficulties
The game began on a rough note for the Islanders. They struggled to control the puck and break out of their zone effectively. On a power play, San Jose scored a short-handed goal by Collin Graf, putting the Islanders on their heels early.
However, Bo Horvat quickly responded, tying the game 1-1 off a slick Mat Barzal feed. Michael Misa recorded his first career point with an assist on Adam Gaudette’s 2-2 goal, matching forces in a battle of last summer’s top draft picks.
Before the period ended, Emil Heineman added another power-play goal for the Islanders, making it 3-2.
A Changing Dynamic for the Islanders
Relying heavily on the power play to compensate for defensive lapses marks a shift from the Islanders’ recent style of play. While effective in this game, the team will need to address their defensive weaknesses to sustain success throughout the season.
Looking Ahead
The Islanders have the talent and firepower to compete at a high level, especially with Matthew Schaefer emerging as a key player. However, the team’s defensive issues must be resolved before they can confidently say their formula is sustainable.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the Islanders to see if they can solidify their defense while maximizing their offensive potential. For now, they can celebrate a hard-fought win and the bright future Schaefer represents for the franchise.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/21/sports/matthew-schaefer-plays-the-role-of-superstar-as-islanders-beat-sharks/