Schaefer, #1 Draft Pick, scores his 1st NHL goal, but Isles lose

The young defenseman Matthew Schaefer, 18, will not forget his first goal in the NHL. The player, selected as the first overall pick in this year’s draft, went all out to score his first goal. Schaefer took advantage of a loose puck after a play in front of the net and pushed it to beat Washington Capitals goalie Logan Thompson at 4:28 of the third period, in the Islanders’ 4-2 loss on Saturday night.

It’s crazy, I love these fans. Hearing your name chanted there is incredible, it feels like home, for sure. We want to win for the fans and be there every night for them. They come every night for us.

Matthew Schaefer

Although the goal reduced Washington’s lead, the Islanders couldn’t come back and suffered their second loss of the season.

Despite the defeat, it was a milestone for the rookie, who earned a spot on the team after training camp, only months after being the first pick in the draft.

To be honest, he dominated the game. He was our best player tonight. He was moving, obviously contributing. He’s very effective. He feels more and more comfortable in each game. He’s a special player, we’re lucky to have him.

Bo Horvat

Schaefer’s performance has already earned the trust of the coaching staff. After getting an assist for his first point in the NHL, playing 17:15 minutes in the Islanders’ 4-3 opening loss to Pittsburgh on Thursday, he had a playing time of 26:04 minutes in this game.

I’m not balancing anything right now with the way he’s playing. He forced me to play him, he forced us to play him, so we’ll give him more time.

Patrick Roy

Schaefer, with little recent experience in the game, played only 17 games for Erie of the Ontario Hockey League in the 2024-25 season, missing time due to mononucleosis and a broken collarbone while representing Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. Still, he managed 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) and a +21 rating. The Ontario-born player also captained Canada to gold medals at the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Now, at just 18 years old and already on the NHL ice, his first goal offers a glimpse of why the Islanders expect great things from the youngster in the coming years.