Matthew Schaefer breaks NHL record with staggering performance in Islanders loss

It’s becoming routine for Matthew Schaefer to do something historic — even when the result doesn’t go the Islanders’ way.

In Tuesday night’s 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, the 18-year-old defenseman added another milestone to his remarkable rookie season, logging 31:59 of ice time — the most ever recorded by a teenager in NHL history.

The number wasn’t just a reflection of trust from head coach Patrick Roy — it was also born out of necessity. Plus, the Islanders dominated play with him out there, registered two goals, and outshot Chicago 30-12 with him on the ice. If only he could play all 60.

With Tony DeAngelo leaving the game early due to injury, Ryan Pulock already sidelined, and the Islanders thin on the blue line, Schaefer was thrust into an even larger role. Adam Pelech’s time in the penalty box further stretched the rotation, leaving Schaefer on the ice for extended stretches throughout the night.

He responded the only way he knows how — by doing everything.

Schaefer logged 26:46 at even strength, along with time on both special teams, averaging over a minute per shift while taking on multiple long and extended shifts. It was a workload rarely seen, let alone from a teenager.

The performance further underscores what has been a historic rookie campaign. Schaefer now has 52 points (22 goals, 30 assists) in 72 games, ranking among the league’s top defensemen in scoring and sitting near the top of all rookies.

But while Schaefer continues to build a season for the record books, the loss carried real consequences.

The Islanders remain locked in a tight Eastern Conference playoff race, now tied with the Ottawa Senators for the final spot, with Ottawa holding the tiebreaker.

For Schaefer, the milestones keep coming.

For the Islanders, the urgency is only increasing.