New York Islanders top rookie Matthew Schaefer got a controversial first NHL goal on Saturday night against the Washington Capitals.
During the third period of the Islanders-Capitals game, New York got a power play with roughly 15 minutes to play. Following a mad scramble in front of the Capitals’ net, Schaefer dove to push the puck past a sprawled-out Logan Thompson.
Here’s a look at the goal:
The gutsy effort by the Islanders’ rookie made the game 4-2. The Capitals, notwithstanding, challenged the goal. Washington coach Spencer Carbery called a timeout to review the play on the bench.
The Capitals’ bench boss challenged the play, but was unsuccessful. The long review cast plenty of doubt regarding the goal’s validity.
The question emerged as the replay showed that Islanders forward Bo Horvat pushed the puck with his hand. The puck hit Logan Thompson’s pad and popped back out into the crease. That’s when Schaefer poked the puck into the back of the net.
The marker wasn’t the prettiest, but it’s one that Matthew Schaefer, the first-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, will take any day of the week. Schaefer notched an assist in his first game of the season against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Now, the 18-year-old rookie sensation has notched at least a point in his first two NHL games. That’s not a bad start for one of the youngest rookies to debut in the NHL:
Islanders Power Play Comes Through
The Islanders’ power play was a disaster during the 2024-25 season. The Isles were 31st in the league with a 12.6% rate.
That trend appears to have changed this season. The Isles got a power play from Anthony Duclair late in the second period. The beleaguered winger got his first of the season and took a huge weight off his shoulders.
Horvat and Kyle Palmieri assisted on the goal. Horvat and Palmieri were once again in on the action on Schaefer’s goal, drawing assists on the play.
If the Islanders’ power play can maintain this sort of momentum, it can transform into an asset after being one of the club’s biggest liabilities last season. It helps to have such a talented young defenseman like Schaefer in the lineup.
As Schaefer and the Islanders’ power play continue to solidify, the team could find much-needed offense with the man advantage.
Isles Must Focus on Building Offense
The New York Islanders have been a solid defensive team. They have an elite goaltender in Ilya Sorokin. But it’s been the offense that’s come up short at times.
This season, the Islanders must focus on building their offense. Doing so can go a long way toward helping the club turn things around after last year’s playoff miss. They’ll be in tough in a stacked Metro Division. But a solid start to the season could propel the Islanders back into the postseason.
A strong power play could be the key to unlocking the team’s offensive abilities. The season is still very early. So, there’s time to get things sorted and in the right direction.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Islanders Top Rookie Gets Controversial First NHL Goal appeared first on Heavy Sports.