Matthew Schaefer, the 18-year-old rookie defenseman for the New York Islanders, etched his name in NHL history by becoming the youngest blueliner ever to score multiple goals in a single game, propelling his team to a thrilling 3-2 comeback win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday.
The historic performance unfolded at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, where Schaefer, the top overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, showcased his offensive prowess early in the contest. He opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 5:53 of the first period, firing a booming shot from the point that beat Columbus goaltender Elvis Merzlikins over the glove. This set the stage for a back-and-forth battle, with the Islanders controlling play but unable to extend their lead initially.
As the game progressed, the Blue Jackets fought back, tying the score in the second period and taking a 2-1 lead late in the third. However, Schaefer and the Islanders refused to relent. With just 1:07 remaining in regulation and the goalie pulled for an extra attacker, Schaefer unleashed another point shot that found the back of the net, tying the game at 2-2 and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
The drama intensified mere seconds later when Simon Holmstrom capitalized on a rebound off a shot from Anders Lee, tapping the puck past Merzlikins with only 38 seconds left on the clock to secure the 3-2 victory. This stunning late-game rally marked the latest comeback win in regulation in Islanders franchise history, underscoring the team’s resilience and fighting spirit.
Schaefer’s two-goal outing made him the youngest defenseman in NHL history to achieve a multigoal game, surpassing the previous record held by Hall of Famer Bobby Orr, who was 18 years and 248 days old when he accomplished the feat in 1966. At 18 years and 58 days, Schaefer now stands alone in the record books, a testament to his rapid adaptation to the professional level.
Beyond the historic milestone, Schaefer has been a standout performer in his debut season, earning NHL Rookie of the Month honors for October and accumulating 10 points in his first 12 games. His teammates have praised his skating, poise, and impact on both ends of the ice, with Holmstrom noting, “He’s a great skater, he’s super-poised with the puck, and he was able to score two big goals for us tonight.”
Islanders coach Patrick Roy commended the team’s effort, emphasizing a “strong 60-minute” performance and highlighting the character shown in the comeback. For the Blue Jackets, coach Dean Evason acknowledged fatigue from a back-to-back schedule but credited Merzlikins for keeping them in the game with 38 saves. Looking ahead, Schaefer’s record-setting night bolsters his case as a frontrunner for the Calder Trophy and signals a bright future for the Islanders, who have now won two straight after a brief skid.