Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the New York Islanders, has garnered attention in the NHL for his impressive performance. Alongside Arturs Silovs of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Matt Boldy from the Minnesota Wild, Schaefer has been named one of the “Three Stars” for the week ending March 1.
Schaefer’s Standout Week
Schaefer leads the NHL with four goals across three games, contributing to the Islanders’ overall record of 35 wins, 21 losses, and 5 overtime losses (75 points). His recent achievements helped the team make history as the 10th in the league to achieve three consecutive multi-goal comeback victories.
Historic Milestones
- Schaefer scored two crucial goals in 55 seconds to tie the game against the Montreal Canadiens on February 26, marking his 17th and 18th goals of the season.
- With these goals, he surpassed Phil Housley for the most goals by an 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history.
- In a subsequent game on February 28, he logged the highest ice time of 25:31, contributing to another comeback win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
- He capped the week with a performance on March 1, scoring two goals and assisting on another in a 5-4 win against the Florida Panthers.
Breaking Records
This week marked a significant achievement for Schaefer as he became the first rookie defenseman in NHL history to reach 20 goals in a season. Only three other rookie defensemen have scored as many goals throughout an entire season:
| Player | Goals | Season | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Leetch | 23 | 1988-89 | New York Rangers |
| Barry Beck | 22 | 1977-78 | Colorado Rockies |
| Dion Phaneuf | 20 | 2005-06 | Calgary Flames |
Top Rookie Performance
Schaefer stands out not only in scoring but also in several key metrics among rookie players this season:
- 1st in total time on ice: 1,471:35
- 1st in average time on ice: 24:07
- 1st in power-play goals: 7
- 1st in power-play points: 15
- 1st in shots on goal: 146
- 2nd in plus/minus: +14
- 3rd in assists: 24
- 3rd in points: 44
Overall, Matthew Schaefer’s exceptional performance has made him a top contender in the league, showcasing his skills and potential for future seasons.
