Schaefer Debuts with a Stunning Goal in the NHL, Although Isles Would Fall to Capitals

Young defenseman Matthew Schaefer will not easily forget his first goal in the NHL. The 18-year-old player, selected in the number one spot in this year’s NHL draft, dove headfirst into the moment, literally. Schaefer found a loose puck after a confusing play in front of the net and launched forward, pushing it past 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. It’s incredible, it feels like home for sure… We want to win for the fans and we want to be there every night for them. They come out every night for us.

Matthew Schaefer

The goal cut Washington’s lead to two, but the Islanders couldn’t respond, falling to 0-2 on the season. However, it was a milestone for the rookie, who made the team after training camp, only months after hearing his name first in Los Angeles during the draft.

To be honest, he dominated the game. He was our best player tonight. He was moving, obviously contributing. He’s very effective out there. 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 full confidence of the coaching staff. After getting an assist for his first point in the NHL, recording 17:15 of ice time in the Islanders’ 4-3 loss in Pittsburgh on Thursday, he had a game-high 26:04 of ice time. That was more than four minutes ahead of Mathew Barzal’s 21:28.

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’re going to give it to him.

Patrick Roy

Few players have entered the draft with less recent game experience. Schaefer played only 17 games for Erie of the Ontario Hockey League in 2024-25, missing games due to mononucleosis and then a broken collarbone suffered while representing Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. Even so, he managed 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) and a plus-21 rating.

The Ontario native 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 offered a glimpse of why the Islanders expect great things from the youngster in the coming years.